How to look after Mobility Scooter batteries

This entry was posted in General August 18, 2022

Mobility scooter batteries deliver the power that drives your scooter. It is understandable that mobility impaired users who are looking forward to getting out and about with minimal physical hassle are eager to use their new mobility aid.

In all the excitement, it is possible to overlook taking care of your mobility scooter batteries. After all, you want to get the best performance from your mobility scooter for the longest amount of time to keep you mobile and independent for longer.

The best way to achieve this is to get the most out of your new mobility aid is to take good care of the battery. Getting into these habits early is an ideal way to set yourself up for the best return on what should be a long-term investment. 

With that in mind, here are some simple steps you can take to ensuring that your mobility scooter batteries' life remains long and reliable - keeping you going for even longer.

1. Charge Mobility Scooter Batteries Overnight Once a Week When Not in Use
   The right time to charge a mobility scooter is anytime after you use it. Having your mobility scooter battery topped up is integral to keeping it going. Even if it is only used for short trips, plug it in when you return and charging overnight; the battery will stay charged and healthier for longer.
2. Can I Overcharge a Mobility Scooter?
   There’s no such thing as ‘overcharging’ the battery on a mobility scooter, so don’t be afraid to leave yours charging overnight. Most chargers are now fitted with a cut-off, meaning that they will simply turn off when the battery is fully charged.
3. Use the Right Charger
   It is imperative that you use the correct mobility scooter charger for your machine’s battery. If you did not get one with your mobility scooter, buying one separately is the best option. Ensure you get the right charger for the right size of your power unit, or it may not charge. It is important to have the correct charger for your mobility scooter as the wrong one could even pose a health and safety hazard.
4. Storing your Mobility Scooter Battery
   Although mobility scooter batteries are built to be robust, keeping them in an optimal environment will make them last longer. If the battery is exposed to damp, it can permanently damage the cell and could eventually stop it from working. Make sure you keep your mobility scooter battery in a cool, dry place. If the battery does get wet, just wipe it down with a cloth and allow enough time to dry before attempting to use.
5. Storing & Changing During Winter
   Your mobility scooter may do less mileage and go a little slower during winter. Cold weathers will affect your battery, you should keep this in mind if you intend to go for long periods of time without using your machine. During this period, you should still charge it once a week to ensure it is in regular use. Power units can sometimes be weakened or permanently damaged if they’re left unused for a long time. Simply plugging in your battery, you can prolong the life even if you’re not regularly using it.
6. Service your Mobility Scooter Regularly
   Mobility scooter maintenance is offered by most mobility shops. A mobility scooter servicing should include a battery test, this will test the functions and health of the scooter battery in various strenuous cases. This servicing should highlight any possible faults in your current battery and will let you know if you need to invest in a new power unit.

With these simple steps, you can keep your mobility scooter battery healthy and on top form, giving you the best levels of independence possible. Batteries are built to give you long-lasting results, and these easy tips will help you keep moving around for longer at a lower cost.

Contact us, if you require any further assistance and will be happy to offer advice or service your mobility scooter ourselves.

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Mobility friendly activities for Summer 

This entry was posted in General August 10, 2022

As the weather is picking up this week – it’s a great time to explore. But when mobility and accessibility is an issue, it can be hard to pluck up the courage to actually go out the door.

Here at Ableworld we encourage people no matter their mobility issues to embrace it and strive for greater independence. If your disability means you have to use a wheelchair, powerchair or some form of walking aid, you should never let that stop you!

We’ve compiled a list of mobility-friendly activity ideas for you and your family to try out before the weather turns all gloomy in the autumn! So, pack some snacks, and let’s experience the great outdoors together!

Visit your local zoo

There is no better way to spend a summer’s day than a trip to the zoo. Zoos offer various exotic animals to look at in the enclosures and sometimes even the opportunity to get up-close at feeding times. As well as interactive games and activities that can educate its visitors. To name one, Chester Zoo is fully accessible to all visitors offering free disabled parking at the main entrance, free entry for caregivers plus wheelchair and scooter hire. It’s the perfect accessible day out for the whole family. Check your local zoo for specific disability inclusions.

Coastal walks and trails

Explore the beauty of the outdoors by heading to your local national park, coastal trail, or country farm with scenic views and accessible paths for everyone. There are hundreds of accessible hiking trails up and down the country so take a look at a site near you. Most parks will state on their website if the route is suitable for a wheelchair or mobility aid so always check in advance.

Mazes are great for the whole family

Mazes are a fun way to get away from the world and lose yourself in something entirely different. Whether you're a child or an adult, the maze offers a chance to get outdoors and enjoy the sunshine whilst also solving puzzles in a fun capacity. There is something so refreshing about immersing yourself into a maze and knowing the only way to get out is to push through.

Visit your local fruit picking farm

From strawberry’s to raspberries to apples – whatever tickles your taste buds, fruit picking is a must-do this summer. It’s such an enjoyable pastime and can make for a very fun afternoon. Make sure to check your local farm and see what fruit they have available for picking as this also depends on the picking season.

Visit a museum or indoor attraction  

Rainy day idea - we do live in the UK after all. Museums educate people in society about the diverse aspects of different cultures through their exhibitions, and as an ethical and customer-driven company, we understand it’s important that people with disabilities are all represented in that community. And although not all UK museums offer accessibility for all disabled people, we can name a few that do: The British Museum, Tate Modern, Museum of Liverpool, Cadbury World, National Railway Museum and many more.

Hopefully at least one of these activity ideas has inspired you this summer – just because you are confined by your disability doesn’t mean you have to be defined by it. Life is for living go out and explore the world!

Ableworld

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Ableworld Wrexham is on the move!

This entry was posted in General August 9, 2022

Ableworld Wrexham is due to undergo a refreshing new facelift which includes moving 1 mile from where its own premises is located. Our brand new, 3,000 square foot upgraded store will be located on Regent Street, LL11 1PF.

The 3,000 square foot superstore will stock Ableworld's full range of mobility products, including scooters, wheelchairs, walkers and an extensive range of riser recliner chairs with displays of their stairlift range.

Ableworld Wrexham's new larger store is due to open in Autumn this year, this move will completely improve the store layout, bringing in more product ranges and making the store much easier to shop. The new store will have ample free parking and is easy and convenient to reach.

Mike Williams, Managing Director at Ableworld, explained "Opening a larger store will enable us to extend our services and product range for our customers and to support the local community. Wrexham is one of our earliest stores and we soon realised it was an inadequate size for our model along with ensuring we have adequate parking, we have been waiting years to find the correct property to move to, which has now recently become available."

We look forward to sharing further updates across our website and Facebook page in the upcoming weeks, so be sure to keep an eye out!

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National Allotment Week 2022

This entry was posted in General August 9, 2022

Allotments provide a place for people to grow their own food and potentially new friendships too while feeling part of a community of like-minded people working towards a common goal. National Allotment Week, created by the National Allotment Society (NAS) has a way of raising awareness of allotments and the role they play in helping people to live healthier lifestyles and develop friendships, running from 8th to 14th August it aims to spread the word that allotments can keep us happy and fit.

There are an estimated 330,000 allotment plots in the UK, the equivalent to 58 Hyde Parks. The National Awareness Week serves to remind us of the many benefits that allotments can provide. They bring communities together, offer a form of outdoor exercise and fresh-air for many people.

What is an Allotment?

An allotment is a piece of land used for growing your own fruits and vegetables. Many allotment-holders like to grow a few flowers too, especially those which attract pollinators. This is because to successfully produce fruit, flowers need to be pollinated and the most natural way to do this is with a little help from our flying friends such as honeybees and bumblebees.

What can I grow on an Allotment?

Vegetables, fruit and herbs are the most commonly grown product. The Royal Horticultural Society makes a good point, that it makes sense to grow what you like to eat. 

What are the benefits of an Allotment?

Allotments encourage people to spend time outdoors, immersed in nature and fresh air, which has lots of benefits for our health and wellbeing, including our mental health. They also promote a more nutritious diet; thanks to all the lovely homegrown organic fruit and vegetables you will enjoy and let's be honest, everything tastes so much better when you've grown it yourself!

If you're interested or have your own allotment but struggle getting down to the ground Ableworld has plenty of aids that are perfect such as the Garden Kneeler. It's a multi-use gardening aid that combines the functions of a comfortable knee mat and a robust standing aid to make the best garden tool. The Garden Kneeler features two curved arms that are ideally positioned at a height that enables the user to rise with assistance from their arms, it can also be turned over to double as a comfortable temporary seat which is perfect for when needing that all important cup of tea!

 

 

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Ableworld hosts Win a Bear competition in aid of Dementia Friends Society!

This entry was posted in General August 1, 2022

During our Summer Sale in 2022, Ableworld Shrewsbury decided to host a "Win the bear" competition whereby a lucky customer was in with the chance to win a big bear!

Cathy Wright, Store Manage at Ableworld Shrewsbury said that she would like all proceedings made from the competition to go to the Dementia Friends Society.

The Alzheimer's Society Dementia Friends programme is the biggest ever initiative to change people's perception of dementia. It aims to transform the way the nation thinks, acts and talks about the condition. 

Entries were just £1 and with plenty of entrants, Cathy Wright managed to make over £75! On sale were also hand-knitted Forget Me Nots, which were also £1 each.

The lucky customer who won the bear was Mrs Taylor from Shrewsbury, she was absolutely over the moon!

 

 

 

 

 

 

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