It can be difficult to live an active lifestyle in your wheelchair during normal weather conditions, but winter can come around to throw you some more curveballs. Mother Nature conjures up ice, snow, sleet, and slush that can make your life more difficult and dangerous. But there are ways for you to stay safe in your wheelchair this winter.

Make Sure To Power Up

If you utilize an electric wheelchair, it is a good idea to ensure your battery is fully charged before venturing out. However, cold weather can be detrimental to the battery capacity, so you may also want to pack an extra one just in case. That way, you won’t end up stranded without any power and find yourself going through unnecessary struggles to get home.

Dress for the Weather

Even if you are taking public transportation in your wheelchair, you should not count on those systems to keep you warm. Instead, you should dress for the winter weather and even bring extra items to keep you warm and healthy in case something goes wrong. You never know if your means of transportation will experience a delay, and you will find yourself stuck in the cold.

Keep Your Chair Rust Free

Another important tip for staying safe in your wheelchair this winter includes wiping down the surfaces of your chair. You’ll encounter a lot of water and salt during the winter, which can cause rust on your chair or problems with the electronic components. If you want to keep your chair in good condition, maintain it and wipe it down when you have the opportunity.

Look Into Your Tire Options

You’ve likely seen snow tires that help vehicles get through the snow and ice much easier, and you can make the same changes to your wheelchair. One way you can do this is by adding knobby tires to your chair, or you can even create your version of snow tires by adding wire ties to your wheel and tire. These will help you gain traction in the snow and make winter traveling easier.

Although the cold conditions will tempt you to stay inside during such harsh weather, there is a strong chance that you will eventually have to make the journey in the snow. With these tips, you can do it in a way that will make the trip far less stressful and much safer.