Safety; Safety Information - Invacare rea Azalea Assist User Manual

Rea® Azalea®

2 Safety

2.1 Safety Information

This section contains important safety information for the
protection of the wheelchair user and assistant and for safe,
trouble-free use of the wheelchair.
WARNING!
Risk of death or serious injury
In case of fire or smoke, wheelchair occupants
are at particular risk of death or serious injury,
when they are not able to move away from the
source of fire or smoke. Lighted matches, lighter
and cigarettes can cause an open flame in the
wheelchair surroundings or on clothes.
– Avoid using or storing the wheelchair near open
flames or combustible products.
– Do not smoke while using the wheelchair.
WARNING!
Risk of injury
– The wheelchair must always be prescribed by
a qualified personnel or a competent person
with knowledge about seating/positioning and
others related to using a wheelchair.
WARNING!
Risk of overturning
The longitudinal position of the rear wheels axis
of the wheelchair compared to the backrest
position can affect its stability.
– A forwards position makes the wheelchair
less stable and increase the risk of tipping
backwards, but improves its maneuverability
by a better grip position of the handrim and
a short turning radius.
– Conversely, by moving the rear wheels axis
backwards, the wheelchair is more stable
and tilts less easily, but its maneuverability is
reduced.
– Depending on the user's abilities and its
particular safety limits, the decrease in stability
can be compensated for by installing an
anti-tipper device.
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WARNING!
Risk of falling
– Check that all parts are attached securely to
the frame.
– Check that all wheels, knobs, screws and nuts
are properly tightened.
– Check that all brakes and anti-tip devices
function correctly.
– Always apply the brake before getting into or
out of the chair.
– Never stand on the foot plates when getting
into or out of the chair, because of the risk of
tipping.
– Changing the thickness of seat and/or backrest
cushions impact the center of gravity of the
chair, it can lead a risk of instability to the user
if the set up is modified.
– Adjusting the seat angle can mean an increased
risk of tipping over.
– The wheelchair must always be equipped with
anti-tip devices.
– Remember that the effectiveness of the
carer-operated brake is reduced in wet and
slippery conditions, as well as when on a slope.
– Be careful to ensure that the castors and rear
wheels are securely attached.
WARNING!
Risk of foot injury
There is a risk that you could injured your feet
when opening doors with foot plate.
– Do not open doors with parts of the wheelchair.
WARNING!
Risk of tipping/falling when using tension
adjustable backrest
– There is a risk of tipping and injury if the hook
and loop straps on the backrest become too
slack. Always check the tension. Also check
that the rear wheels are adjusted to ensure
that there is no risk of tipping.
WARNING!
Risk of injury
– Never lift the wheelchair by the detachable
armrests, footrests, back brace or by the
adjustable push handles. See section "usage"
for more information.
– The handrims may become hot due to friction,
which may cause injury to your hands.
– When mounting options, etc. be careful not to
trap your fingers.
– There is always an increased risk of trapping
parts of your body when tilting the wheelchair's
back and seat.
– The width of the seat must not be reduced too
much, as this would increase the pressure from
the armrests to the side of the pelvis.
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