Did you know that there are more than two million new wheelchair users in the United States yearly? That’s quite a few people in wheelchairs that fold or wheelchairs that are rigid. If you live an active lifestyle, then you are going to be out and about in the winter months, meaning there are a few safety precautions for being in a wheelchair, even with sturdy wheelchair backrests that you need to follow, so that you can continue to be active, no matter the season and still be safe at the same time, when using high performance wheelchairs.

Prepare Ahead of Time

If you live in an area that gets a lot of snow, you don’t only need to prepare yourself for the cold, you need to prepare your wheelchair and your mobility van as well. From the wheelchair footrests to the wheelchair backrests, your chair should be able to stand up to the elements, whether it’s rain or snow coming your way.

Add Snow Tires to Your Chair

Snow tires aren’t just for the vehicle you travel in; you can get them for your wheelchair as well. It’s easy to lose traction in the snow, so you want to make sure you’re not heading for an accident when you’re wheeling along through snow or on icy sidewalks. Make sure to do your research and get the best possible, and safest tires for the type of wheelchair you’re using. It’s much better to be safe than sorry in these instances.

Invest in a Back Up Power Source

You never know when the power is going to go out in a winter storm, and if you use an electric wheelchair, it might cause you a problem. It’s best to have a backup power source to ensure you’re not left stranded should the electricity fail and leave you and your high performance wheelchairs stranded. It’s also important to have one for any other type of electric medical equipment you might have to have as well.

Get Your Prescriptions Filled

If you know a winter storm is heading your way, you should go ahead and get any prescriptions you are out of or almost out of ahead of time. The last thing you want is to be trapped with no way to get your prescriptions filled and have them run out. Preparing ahead of time for this eventuality just makes sound common sense.

These are just a few of the top ways you can prepare yourself, your wheelchair backrests, and your wheelchair in general for the winter months ahead. Stay safe and stay warm this winter season in your high performance wheelchairs.