The summer is the perfect time to get out and do some exploring. Go on vacation, head to a local fair or festival, or just spend some time outside to enjoy the great weather. When you take your mobility scooter out this summer, we want you to be safe, so please take a look at these mobility scooter safety tips.

Choose the Right Scooter for Your Needs

Your ability to safely use your mobility scooter starts with choosing the right scooter. When you buy a scooter, think about factors such as:

• The distances that you will want to drive at once
• The type of terrain that you will be navigating
• The steepest inclines you’re likely to encounter
• The tightest turns that you’ll need to maneuver

Additionally, be sure to buy a scooter that fits you, both in terms of height and weight. When a scooter is well-matched to you and your needs, you can depend on it to put in a great performance when you’re out and traveling.

Practice at Home

Before you take your mobility scooter out and about, spend some time practicing with it at home. Practice turning and backing up and make sure that you’re comfortable with all of the controls, including the location of your horn.

Be sure that you also understand how to safely navigate curbs and ramps. When you must approach a curb or a ramp, choose the most level, flattest area to access. Drive straight into the curb or the ramp, since driving sideways could cause your scooter to tip over.

Maximize Your Visibility

Keep in mind that when you’re on your scooter, you’re at a lower height, so you may not be readily visible to drivers. There are a few precautions you can take to maximize your visibility. Consider investing in a tall safety flag to attach to the back of your scooter. Always operate your scooter with all of its lights on. You may want to add reflective tape to your scooter, and be sure to wear light, bright colors.

Maintain Your Scooter

Take proper care of your scooter to ensure that it’s always dependable when you need it. Keep the batteries properly charged, check your tire pressure to make sure that it’s correct, and address any maintenance issues promptly. The better you maintain your scooter, the longer it will last.

Safely Transport Your Scooter

When it comes to transporting your scooter, make sure that you purchase a vehicle lift that’s appropriate for both your car and for the weight and size of your scooter. You should also make sure that your scooter is firmly secured to the lift any time you travel. If you want to avoid using a vehicle lift, then you may benefit from buying a portable scooter that can be quickly disassembled into pieces, then placed into your vehicle.

At Med Mart, we have plenty of mobility scooters, accessories, and vehicle lifts to get you properly outfitted for the summer. Please don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any questions about which product is right for your needs.