In this section you will find advice on how to look after your mobility equipment, what to do if your child’s wheelchair has a fault or if your child has an accident.
Maintenance
Mobility equipment is very expensive so it's worth looking after it well. Looking after it properly will also reduce your long-term maintenance and repair costs.
With any new piece of mobility equipment you must always read the user manual and keep it in a safe place for easy reference.
If you are on a low income and you receive a powered wheelchair from Whizz-Kidz, we may be able to support you with repair and maintenance costs.
Don't forget to check out our DIY maintenance videos here
Essential wheelchair maintenance
Here are some dos and don’ts:
- DO only use the mobility equipment as the manufacturer intended,
- DO clean the mobility equipment regularly,
- DO frequently check for any loose screws and tighten them on a regular basis,
- DO frequently check that the brakes are working correctly (and that they hold the mobility equipment still when applied). Contact your local wheelchair dealer immediately if you are in any doubt,
- If the mobility equipment has batteries, DO charge them regularly according to the user manual, even if the equipment is not in use,
- DON’T ever leave mobility equipment for extended periods without charging the battery up as you will almost certainly need to buy new batteries once you want to use the equipment again,
- DO check that the mobility equipment fits your child well and comfortably and, if necessary, adjust it according to the user manual. If you are in any doubt contact your local wheelchair dealer or ask your local therapist for help,
- DO ensure that you have up-to-date insurance and an extended warranty for your mobility equipment, so that you don’t get any unexpected repair or maintenance bills,
- DO try and save a regular amount each month in a savings account to cover any costs that may not be covered under insurance, particularly tyres, batteries and day to day wear and tear.
If you have any questions about looking after your mobility equipment, please email us at kidzservices@whizz-kidz.org.uk and we’ll be happy to help.
Insurance
It's vital that you get insurance for your child’s mobility equipment.
We will happily provide a list of mobility equipment insurance providers who can provide the right cover. Please email us at kidzservices@whizz-kidz.org.uk or call our Children’s Services team on 0800 151 3350
What to do if your equipment develops a fault
If you have received mobility equipment from Whizz-Kidz and a fault develops, you should in the first instance check your equipment manual. If you are not able to resolve the problem, details of your supplier are on the frame of the equipment and can also be found on the handover documents you have received. Please note that you may be charged for the supplier to attend so please check and be aware of any costs you may incur before agreeing a call out. If after contacting your supplier you are experiencing further issues with the equipment kidzservices@whizz-kidz.org.uk or call our Children’s Services team on 0800 151 3350 with the detail of your fault as soon as possible.
Refurbishing your child’s previous wheelchair
If your child has grown out of a wheelchair, we may be able to refurbish it and make it good as new for another child on our waiting list. To find out if your child’s old wheelchair can help another child, please email our Children’s Services team on kidzservices@whizz-kidz.org.uk or call us on 0800 151 3350 (local rate).