The current social distancing guidelines advised by the government in order to tackle the continued spread of coronavirus COVD-19 means, for many people, using your mobility scooter less.
Whether you typically used your mobility scooter to commute to work, or just to help you get around in your daily routine, it’s likely that you’ve found yourself leaving the house a lot less each day – and therefore keeping your mobility scooter in storage more often.
Even when you’re not using your scooter as much, it’s important to continue to look after it correctly in order to keep it in good condition even when in storage.
Below, we’ve covered a few key points for looking after your mobility scooter during COVID-19 so it remains in pristine condition ready for when you can start to get out and about more in the future.
Storing Your Scooter Safely
It’s likely you are keeping your mobility scooter in storage for longer periods right now, so ensuring you are storing your scooter safely should be a top priority.
Some key tips to store your scooter properly include:
- Keep it in a dry area that can be locked
- Ideally, you should store your scooter in a lockable unit that is separate from your home (at least 6 feet for fire safety)
- When stored, you should have access to a mains socket so you can charge your mobility scooter battery after use
- Avoid storing your mobility scooter where there are any obstacles that may prevent you from accessing it
Keep Your Insurance Up To Date
Even when you’re using your scooter less, protecting it against the unexpected is still important. Mobility scooter insurance provides cover for theft, malicious vandalism, recovery, and third party liability – accidents can happen even with occasional use, so keeping your insurance up to date is a good idea.
Specialist insurance providers such as Surewise.com have affordable cover that can be paid monthly or annually.
Check Your Battery Charge
It’s important to remember that your mobility scooter’s battery will decay over time if it is not used, so keeping your battery topped up even when you’re not using it is necessary.
After using your scooter, put it on charge to top the battery back up to full. If it has been in storage for a few weeks and you haven’t used it at all, it may be a good idea to turn your scooter on and charge up the battery to avoid it going completely flat. Having a spare battery can also be useful so you can set up a charging rotation to ensure your battery always has enough powder.
Cleaning Your Scooter
Now could be a good time to clean your scooter so it’s in good condition when in storage. Make sure your scooter isn’t connected to the mains before cleaning, and avoid using any wax or oil-based cleaners as these can damage the paintwork.
Your scooter may differ so check your user manual, but as a general rule, using a soft, dry cloth to wipe dust and dirt off the exposed bodywork and electrical points, and using disinfectant wipes for the seat should work to clean them.
It’s also worth mentioning that disinfectant wipes or spray may be useful to keep on hand when you are using your mobility scooter to go to appointments/shops etc during COVID-19, so you can wipe down your handlebars to avoid spreading bacteria. Unicef has a useful guide for cleaning tips to keep COVID-19 out of your home.
Check Your Tyres For Wear & Tear
If you haven’t used your scooter in a while, be sure to check the tyres for wear and tear before taking it out again – better to be cautious than risk a puncture and be stranded at the shops! Your user manual should provide you with the recommended tread limits for your particular scooter’s wheels.
Additionally, it may be a good idea to check your tyre pressure before taking your scooter out. Keeping a few spare inner tubes can be useful in case you discover a flat tyre.
Be Safe On The Roads
We’re in a time where keeping the pressure off the NHS is more vital than ever, and so staying safe when you’re out on your mobility scooter should be a top priority in order to prevent any accidents involving yourself or the people around you.
A few useful tips for staying safe on your mobility scooter:
- Be aware of the maximum load for your mobility scooter and take care not to overload it when shopping
- Likewise, take care to balance items equally to avoid your mobility scooter tipping
- Be aware of pedestrians around you when driving on pavements, and be alert for potential hazards such as potholes and dropped kerbs
- If driving on the roads, check your mirrors frequently and be aware of passing vehicles
- If you’re driving at night, you must have headlights and rear lights. Wearing a reflective jacket is also recommended.
You can read more about the rules regarding using your mobility scooter on the government website.
Can I Still Use My Mobility Scooter During COVID-19?
Yes, you are still able to drive your mobility scooter during COVID-19, however, the current guidelines to stay home unless travelling to a job you can’t do from home, medical appointments, or for one hour of exercise per day does mean that many people will be using their scooters a lot less.
Following the tips listed above, you can ensure your mobility scooter stays in great condition when not in use, and that you stay safe when you do need to drive it.
