Due to the severity of injuries resulting from accidents involving electric powered wheelchairs, there are a multitude of safety concerns for the operation of power wheelchairs. While accidents can and do occur involving manual wheelchairs as well, studies have shown that electric powered wheelchairs are more likely to cause serious injuries than manually operated chairs. If a motorized wheelchair is to be used outdoors, it should have mechanical brakes that can be adjusted by the user of the wheelchair. Chairs that use what is known as "dynamic braking" are fine for helping you slow down on a hill or come to a quick stop, but they don't lock the wheels of the chair to prevent the wheelchair from rolling down a hill. Dynamic brakes on an electric powered wheelchair are similar to anti-lock brakes on a vehicle. Another safety item to make note of when using an electric wheelchair is how to maneuver on an inclined surface. You never want to ride your wheelchair sideways across an incline, because of the potential of the chair to flip over. This can cause serious injuries as the chair will likely land on you as you tumble sideways down the hill. If your power wheelchair has casters in front, you'll need to avoid inclined areas all together. When driving your electric powered wheelchair, watch out for obstacles that lie in your path. Sharp stones, glass and other objects can cause your tires to deflate in the same way that car tires can get flat. A flat tire that occurs while the powered chair is in motion is dangerous, because it could cause your wheelchair to flip over on the side that suddenly has a flat tire. When you are traveling outdoors in your powered wheelchair, it's important that you always have a fully charged battery. You don't want to be stranded someplace if your battery dies. It's a good idea to keep a spare battery on hand to exchange them if you do happen to run out of power. If you are being transported inside a wheelchair accessible van, there are a few safety precautions you should take to make riding in your power wheelchair hassle and incident free. Lock the wheels of your chair. This keeps your chair from moving all over the place when the van is moving. Strap yourself into your wheelchair, across your lap like a seatbelt, and also so your back is secure against the back of your wheelchair. This will prevent you from getting thrown out of your chair and into the windshield or other surface of the van if the van must stop quickly or is in an accident. As with any motorized object, having electric powered wheelchairs serviced regularly for preventative maintenance is critical to the safe usage of the chair. As the user of the powered chair, you should do a daily or weekly inspection to make sure everything is in order. In addition, you should have electric powered wheelchairs professionally inspected several times a year, based on your activity level. Many problems can be avoided with proper care of the chair. Consider the professional inspections your "oil change" for your wheelchair. Another good habit for electric powered wheelchair users to consider is to always travel with a charged cell phone. While a cell phone is great for any type of emergency, they are indispensable for a wheelchair bound individual. If your chair battery dies while you are out, you can call for help. If the control unit isn't working correctly, you can call for help. If your powered wheelchair should flip over sideways or roll off the edge of a curb, you can call for help. Keep the phone hooked to your shirt or on an area of the chair that is easily accessible.