Stairlifts are amazing inventions that allow people to be transported from floor to floor on a chair that is built onto the wall or staircase.

They started being sold around the 1930s and, since then, standards have been constantly improving to help people to help people get around their homes.

Stair lifts are incredibly helpful for people who have diseases such as polio.

Injuries or illnesses which cause pain when climbing stairs can be overcome by installing a stair lift.

Elderly or disabled people do not have to endure the pain of walking up and down stairs and all areas of the home can easily be accessed.

Although there is more than one type stair lift, it shouldnt be too hard to identify which type you need. There are straight stairlifts and curved stairlifts.

The usual stair lifts are straight. They are fitted onto regular staircases which contain no bends.

The stairlift glides up and down the rail along straight rail tracks which are fitted to the steps.

These are reasonably and easy to install.

By contrast, curved stairlifts are a lot more expensive and take much longer to install. This is because are custom built to the specific staircase.

All curved stair lifts are different because every staircase is different - and, therefore, the stair lift needs to be bespoke.

Other types include wheelchair platform stair lifts, outdoor stair lifts and pre-owned stair lifts.

Its important think about the reliability of the specific stair lift. Making a large investment in a stair lift means you will want it to last.

In addition, getting a reliable stair lift means minimising any potential hazards - you dont want something to happen while travelling upstairs.

Having factors like this in mind will help you choose a stair lift which could last over 20 years.

A highly beneficial feature of stairlifts is that they are fitted with a cut-out switch - which will stop the stairlift if there is a problem with it.

Stairlifts can come with specially fitted sensors which notice if something is blocking the lifts path. This means zero risk of collision.

The power supply is also something which requires thought.

They can be powered by the main power supply or batteries.

The main disadvantage to running stair lifts from the mains is that if there is a power cut the stair lift cannot be operated.

This can be by-passed with a backup power supply. However, this can be costly.

And running stairlifts from a battery only can be expensive because the battery will have to be replaced every so often.

Its important bear these factors in mind when choosing the preferable power supply.

For more information visit http://www.multicare.co.uk.