Staying Safe

It is recommended that you have a trained attendant present while you learn to transfer to and from your chair. To reduce the chance of being injured ensure the power is turned off and that your powerchair is not in freewheel mode. Ensure footrests are swung away or removed to give you free access. For side transfers ensure armrests and legrests are swung away or removed, position yourself as far back as possible in the power wheelchair seat to prevent the chair from tipping forward.

Your power wheelchair is not specifically designed to negotiate stairs or escalators but is able to do so only in cases with low step heights and long step landings.

You should not operate your power wheelchair on public streets and roadways. This is in accordance with local traffic laws, which vary by country. Please check your local traffic laws.

Proceed with extreme caution when driving near raised surfaces, unprotected ledges, and/or drop-offs (kerbs, porches, stairs, escalators, lifts etc).

Always approach an obstacle so both front wheels touch that obstacle together.  Never attempt to climb a kerb or obstacle at an angle. Do not attempt to climb or descend from a kerb of more than 100mm in height. Do not attempt to ascend any kerb near a drain cover, uneven surfaces or gravel covering.  Never try to travel backwards down any step, kerb, or other obstacle.

You might need a positioning belt to ensure you can use your wheelchair safely. Make sure you check with your caregiver or OT to see if this is necessary for the safe use of your wheelchair.

Addressing corners at speed might increase the risk of tipping your wheelchair. If you feel you may tip over when cornering, immediately reduce your speed and steering angle, and beware of uneven, rough or slippery terrain.

Your wheelchair has electric motors so must never be driven through water, rivers, streams or the sea. Any damage that occurs from driving in water can void your warranty.

When your power wheelchair has been used in coastal, wet or salty environments, we recommend that extra cleaning care is taken to reduce the risk of rusting. After returning, it may help to blow as much of the sand and/or salt off as possible, followed by wiping down all parts with a warm damp cloth. Never hose your chair down. Your power chair should then be left in a warm and dry environment.

At Magic Mobility, safety and reliability go hand in hand. We adhere to the ISO7176-19 restraint system as an industry standard.

In order to ensure safer transportation for those who use their wheelchair as a seat in a motor vehicle, our powerchairs have been designed and tested for use only as a forward facing seat in motor vehicles. The powerchairs have not been tested in other positions.

Testing has been conducted with a representative four-point strap system (two at the front and two at the rear). Use only with powerchair tie down and occupant restraint systems suitable for the powerchair weight including options that have been installed in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. The restraint system must conform to SAE J2249 (USA) or ISO10542 (International).

• Powerchairs secured in a vehicle don’t provide the same safety and security as vehicle seating. Magic Mobility recommends that users transfer to the vehicle seat and use the vehicle-installed restraint system whenever possible. The unoccupied powerchair should then be stored as cargo or secured in the vehicle.

When seat positioning options are fitted the following should be followed whenever feasible.

Seat elevator – fully DOWN with the seat at its lowest level

Seat tilt – fully DOWN with the seat parallel to the ground

Legrest – fully DOWN with feet close tot he floor and knees bent to 90°

Backrest – upright, at or as close to 90° to the seat.

Please refer to the Owner’s Manual for further instructions relating to the securing powerchairs in the vehicle or cargo areas and also for more information relating to the strap restraint system, occupant restraint instructions and positioning the occupant restraint.

Tests were conducted with a 102kg crash test dummy. Occupants with a higher weight are at increased risk during an accident.

Magic Mobility recognises that it is not always practical for users to be transferrred. In this circumstance, where the user must be transported while in the powerchair, the following advice must be followed:

• User safety during transportation depends upon the diligence of the person securing the tie down restraints. They should have received appropriate instructions and/or training in their use
• Attach occupant restraints according to manufacturer’s instructions and SAE J2249
• Don’t use WTORS designed to rely on the powerchair structure to transfer occupant restraint loads to the vehicle
• Magic Mobility powerchairs comply with the requirements of the ISO 7176-19 and, as such, have been designed and tested for use only as a forward-facing seat in a motor vehicle.
• Note – compliance to this standard does not preclude using the powerchair rearward in large acessible vehicles equipped with rear facing passenger stations
• The powerchair has been dynamically tested in a forward-facing orientation with the crash test dummy restrained by both pelvic and shoulder belts (eg. a shoulder belt as part of a three-point belt restraint)
• Both pelvic and shoulder belt restraints should be used to reduce the possibility of head and chest impacts with vehicle components.
• To reduce the potential of injury to vehicle occupants, powerchair mounted trays not specifically designed for crash safety should:
  • be removed and secured separately in the vehicle, or
  • be secured to the powerchair but positioned away from the occupant with energy absorbing padding placed between the tray and the occupant
• When possible, other auxiliary powerchair equipement should either be secured to the powerchair or removed and secured in the vehicle during travel. This will ensure that it doesn’t break free and cause injury to vehicle occupants in the event of a collision
• Postural supports should not be relied upon for occupant restraint in a moving vehicle, unless they are labelled in accordance with the requirements specified in ISO7176-19
• The powerchair should be inspected by a manufacturer’s representative before reuse following involvement in any type of vehicle collision
• Alterations or substitutions should not be made to the powerchair securement points or to structural and frame parts or components without consulting the powerchair manufacturer
• Spill proof sealed batteries such as “gelled electrolyte” should be installed on powerchairs when used in a motor vehicle
• Care should be taken when fixing the occupant restraint to position the seat buckle. This will ensure that the release button is not contacted by powerchair components during a crash.