One thing that big box retailers and many online sites don’t want you to know about buying high end electronics is how much you can save by buying a refurbished product. Refurbished or reconditioned products have been around for a long time but when the economy was good no one really wanted them. It simply was not worth it to take the risk. Actually though you can lower the risk level considerably if you understand what exactly it is you are buying. The trick to buying a refurbished product is reading the fine print and understanding what the terms mean. Here is what you need to know:

You can usually save between 50% and 70% on refurbished product. That sounds pretty good right? Refurbished can mean several different things and depending on what it means you will have different prices. For example there is: ‘factory refurbished’ or factory-sealed refurbished products, and ‘third-party refurbished’ products. A third party refurbishment generally means the manufacturer has contracted the work to an outside company. For high end electronics you want to choose the products whose repair has been done by the manufacturer.

So what does refurbished actually mean? Refurbished means the product has been repaired but it doesn’t mean the product has actually been purchased and used. It could be the item was returned for various reasons such as the color was wrong or the item was not what the customer expected. It could be that the package opened during shipping and the customer requested a replacement item even though there was no damage. Overstocked items may also fall into this category. Your key to understanding is the warranty. If they offer the same warranty as the brand new product you can feel comfortable making the purchase.

In some cases it does mean the product has been used. A customer may have used the product once or twice during the 30 day return period and then found a problem. The customer returns the unit and the manufacturer makes the repair but the product must now be sold as refurbished. It may also happen that a company will recall a product when a defect has been found in many of the products from a specific production run. Again, the manufacturer fixes the problem and the product is resold as refurbished.

Factory recertification is another term you should know. A manufacturer will recertify an item for the same reasons a product is classified as refurbished. The great thing about factory recertified merchandise is that it actually has more stringent testing than regular products and you get the same warranty as with the regular product. So you get a better product with a lower price. So you can understand why no company wants to publicize this information.

Reconditioned means the product was sold to someone and they used it. The product has now been fixed up and is being sold again. Depending on how long the product was used it might still have a manufacturer warranty but if not usually the company that did the repair work will usually offers a limited warranty.

So refurbished electronics or reconditioned electronic products really do you give you significant savings. What is the catch? Experts say that when you are talking about high end electronic products such as flat panel TVs and computers, you the consumer are not qualified to judge what the effect of usage will be on the life of the product..

So what they recommend is buy only ‘factory-certified’ refurbished products. You still get significant savings but minimize your risk as the products come with a manufacturer’s warranty.

You also have an added “green” bonus buying refurbished as refurbishment is a form of recycling.

Before We Begin

You’re likely familiar with the basic parts to a desktop computer system or PC which are the monitor, keyboard, mouse, and a box these items plugin to. But what’s inside the box? And what should we call it? Some are told that box is the CPU. But the reality is the CPU is inside that box. Thus the box that everything plugs in to really is, and should be referred to as the PC or computer.

But what other things are inside your PC? Here is a short list, and these are the things we’ll be cleaning.

· Power Supply

· Motherboard

· Hard Drive

· DVD ROM drive

· 2 or more Fans

What You’ll Need

1. Medium Phillips head screwdriver or flat blade screwdriver

2. Vacuum Cleaner (optional)

3. Dust mask

4. Can of Compressed Air for cleaning such as Dust Off

Step One – Unplugging the Cables

Before unplugging any cables, make sure the computer has been properly shutdown, is completely off and unplugged from the AC outlet. Now, view the back side of your computer case. You see all those cables? This would be a good time to either take a clear picture of the back or make note of which connector that each of those cables are attached to. Now let’s remove the cables. All of them will simply pull out except for two. They are the monitor cable and network cable.

A word about Monitor Cables Monitor cables come in three main varieties. They are VGA, DVI, and HDMI. If yours is HDMI it will simply pull out. You can identify an HDMI cable because it has no thumb screws. Both VGA and DVI cable types will have two thumb screws securing the cable to the connector.

To remove, turn both screws counter clockwise until the connector freely comes off. If these screws are too tight to remove by hand, then a flat blade screwdriver should work. Words of caution though; when putting this connector back, only turn these screws until they are seated. DO NOT TIGHTEN them as this could lead to damage.

The network cable is like a large telephone cord. Simply squeeze the clip and the cord will come out with ease.

Once you have cables removed, find a comfortable flat surface to put your PC on. It’s a good idea do the cleaning outside with plenty if ventilation. However, your dining room table will do. Just be aware there will be airborne dust in case you have sensitivities. You may wish to put on the optional dust mask at this point.

Step Two – Removing the side panel

We’re now going to lay the computer on its side so that we have access to the top of the mother board when we take the cover off. To do this, set the computer upright so you have a clear view of the back of the case. Now slowly tip the computer to the left until it is safely flat on your work surface. We are now ready to remove screws.

Grab your screwdriver and look for two screws at the very end of the side panel. These may be Phillips head, flat head or thumb screws. (Some brands such as Dell are slightly different and may have a lever or buttons to open the case)

Once the screws are out, slide the panel toward you. It will move about half an inch and then stop. You can now lift the side panel off and set it in a safe place.

You should now see the motherboard, the power supply, and the cages which secure the hard drive and optical drive. You’ll also see one or more case fans. If instead, you see another metal panel and perhaps the bottom of the mother board, then put the panel back on and remove the other panel.

Step Three – Time to Clean

Compressed Air – Be sure read and follow the directions for using compressed air. You’ll need to keep the can upright to extremely cold liquid from coming out which can cause frostbite and damage to plastics. One helpful tip is to flex the nozzle in the general direction that you need airflow while keeping the can upright.

When using the vacuum avoid bringing anything on the motherboard into direct contact with the hose or attachments. We are mainly capturing airborne dust as it blown free by the compressed air.

Power Supply – The power supply is the large box with a fat bundle of cables coming out of one end. It has at least one fan, maybe two. Now look for slots or air vents in the power supply housing. This is where you’ll blow compressed air. A neat trick is to have the vacuum running near the fan while you blow compressed air into the vents. This will keep airborne dust to a minimum while you work. Look for residual dust which may cling to the edges of any vents.

CPU Cooler and Motherboard – On the mother board, look for a large metal block with fins and a fan fastened to the top of that. This is the CPU cooler. We’re going to clean this next. In order to keep the compressed air upright, you may wish turn the PC upright again. Aim the air in such a way as to clear the fins of the metal block of dust build up. There may be some residual dust on the fan which cannot be removed without taking it apart. This is normal and is all that can be expected from this procedure.

The Case Fan and Finishing up– Computer cases are designed to move warm air out and cool air in. Most cases have an exhaust fan. Some may have more than one. Look for any fans and clean them with air. If they are accessible, the fins may be wiped with a soft tissue. To finish up, inspect any drives, and the open areas in the chassis. You may find the vacuum helpful here. In most cases the drives will not be very dirty and a few short bursts of air should suffice. When reassembling your system, put the power cord on last.

The IRS reported that the 2010 tax returns as being the most successful in terms of electronic filing. About 99 million taxpayers submitted their returns electronically, which accounted for 70% of taxpayers. The electronic tax returns have come a long way over the last 20 years. However, this impressive success of electronic tax returns has not come without major shortcomings. Over the past years, the IRS has discovered increasing fraud in the areas of identity theft and fraudulent electronic returns. Since with electronic returns, most of the processing and refunds release are done automatically, some fraudsters have successfully found loopholes in the system and have managed to file fake returns and claim fictitious refunds.

Case in Point – 5,108 Post-Mortem Identity Theft Scandal

In the recently concluded 2010 tax returns, some individuals made fraudulent returns for 5,108 individuals who had died between 2009 and 2010. The tax returns were all made from one Electronic Filing Identification Number. The preparer associated with this Identification Number was from Florida and he claimed that he had applied for the Electronic Filing Identification Number but had never used it or made any returns from it. Some bulk of the refunds were sent to another man in Florida with an account in BankAtlantic.

The tax returns that contained tax refunds totaling to $12.1 million were successfully processed and the tax refunds sent to various accounts as per the tax returns. On discovery of the fraud, the IRS attempted to recover the funds from the various accounts that they were distributed to. The government has filed a court case in the Southern District of Florida to recover $851,832 from 10 bank accounts in Bank of America and $760,035 from 3 accounts in JP Morgan Chase Bank that was seized by agents of the IRS in their bid to recover the fraudulent refunds released. According to the investigation reports, the refunds from the fraudulent returns were sent to 303 accounts in 9 different banks in America. The report did not disclose how much of the $12.1 million has been recovered so far, though much of the refunds have been recovered, especially from Bank of America and JP Morgan Chase.

The major question that remains unanswered is how one tax preparer with a single Electronic Filing Identification Number could make 5,108 fake tax returns of dead people with none of the fraud-detecting computerized screening e-filing programs identifying or blocking the returns. Apparently, the IRS has invested majorly on these advanced programs to detect fraud with electronic filing. Besides the program detection, another question being asked is why the IRS had not frozen the tax returns from the dead people noting that the Social Security Administration provides the IRS with a weekly list of people who have died so as to update its records. Even if tax returns are filed by the survivors of the dead, the least that could have been expected from the IRS is a more thorough scrutiny of the returns made for these dead people, as this was obviously a red flag area for fraud.

Other Cases

There have been many other fraud cases of different magnitudes and different nature associated with electronic return’s fraud. Cases of information theft and identity theft from the IRS online filing system and fraudulent registration, filing, and refunds claims have negatively impacted the electronic tax filing system. These cases have posed major doubts on the electronic tax returns and especially in its ability to identify and prosecute fraudulent returns. Therefore, even as the IRS and the general public at large celebrate the convenience associated with electronic returns, we cannot forget the troubles that can arise whenever man is replaced by machine.

Big Gun Exhaust is located in Corona CA and legendary for their economical, high quality exhaust systems for dirt and street bikes, ATVs and UTVs. They offer both EVO and ECO Series Exhaust systems for more major UTVs than any other exhaust manufacturer. Most major exhaust manufacturers build systems for the RZR, Commander, and Rhino, but if you are the proud owner of a more obscure UTV like a Gator or Redline, it can be a little tricky finding a suitable system.

Big Gun makes both slip on and full exhaust systems and is one of the few manufacturers to offer refurbishing services. For $60-100 you can have your old system polished and minor parts replaced for a truly “like new” look. Most companies like to sell you another product once your original wears out or fails completely. Big Gun believes their systems should last you as long as your vehicle does.

Big Gun also makes a patented “Rev Box” for Arctic Cat, Polaris and Kawasaki UTV models. These handy, easy to install boxes increase your rev limit by approximately 1000 RPM depending on your machine model. The vehicle’s timing curve is re-programmed for increased power and torque with just a simple plug-in installation.

The TFI Box is the second electronic product for most major UTVs offered by Big Gun. It essentially acts like a carburetor despite the use of fuel injection by your vehicle’s engine. It essentially uses load-based technology to monitor the demand on your motor and provide a fuel solution to reach optimum performance. It plugs into your factory wiring harness, so no re-wiring or additional modifications are required!

Big Gun also offers a complete line of Sparkys, cores, packing, inserts, end caps and springs to help customize your exhaust systems look and tone. The short insert, nicknamed the “Vortex” is a 2″ spark arrestor that will reduce the noise level of your Big Gun Exhaust by 4-5 decibels. The Vortex 2 is a full 5″ long that will reduce your exhaust tone to 96-98 decibels. It is the quietest insert available but it is not recommended for the Teryx 750, Rhino 660 or other high compression engines.

Packing is another way to reuce sound levels without significantly hampering performance. The Re-packing kit is available in 15″ and 17″ loose fill, high temp type material. If you want to pack it and forget it, consider the Dura-pack packing kit. It is guaranteed to last you 50 hours and while it reduces heat, it still allows a full, throaty exhaust tone.

Ordinary plastic storage boxes just don’t cut it in an industrial workplace. The thinner plastic will not usually stand up to heavy tools and corrosive liquids. There are a few different options available for use.

Hanging Storage Boxes

These bins are the cheapest form of heavy duty box and can be used in a variety of fashions. Louvered panels, rails and custom shelving are the most common ways of hanging plastic storage bins. They can also be stacked if they are of the same size which makes them extremely versatile. If you are planning on storing sensitive electronic equipment in these, consider buying conductive storage bins.

Stackable Plastic Storage Boxes

These are stronger than their cheaper counterparts but cannot be hung. You can buy large hopper bins that have a cut out in the side enabling you to take items out while the boxes are stacked on top of each other. Cross stack tubs are rectangular tubs that can alternate 90 degrees each stack. This way each tub can be access while stacked on top of each other. Hanging and stackable storage boxes are both ideal for production, assembly and order picking.

Clear Plastic Storage Boxes

If you would like to maintain the ease of having a clear box, small compartment boxes can be bought. These are usually used for storing small items like washers, small screws, o-rings and electrical fittings. Larger models can be purchased which contain small clear boxes that ‘tip out’ rather than pulling out like a shelf.

Hinged Plastic Storage Boxes

This type of heavy duty box is made from thick plastic with a thick plastic lid. They are great for long term storage and also for transporting parts. Of course another type of hinged storage box is a tool box. Buying a model with a lift out shelf means you can store more tools in an organised manner.

Plastic Storage Cabinets

On top of the clear plastic storage boxes you can also buy larger cabinets that interlock together. This way you can adjust the size of the cabinet buy adding an additional module.

Another bonus to plastic type storage is that it’s environmentally friendly; most of the plastic used to manufacture these products comes from recycled sources.

Hi,

I’d like to tell you a little bit about the latest Sky HD box. But before I do let me give you a little bit of history regarding Sky or rather BskyB set top boxes. Over the years there has been a number of manufacturers of Standard Sky boxes, Sky+ boxes and now Sky+HD boxes down the years – some better than others.

Pace, Samsung, Sony, Panasonic, Amstrad/Sky, Thomson and Grundig. There are no other manufacturers of Sky boxes. All have had their fair share of faults and problems down the years and again some more than others.

In 2007 Lord Sugar, sold Amstrad to BskyB – Sky for £125m. This was the turning point for Sky box manufacturing as from then on there was no third party manufacturing. Sky had complete control of the boxes and what went into them where they were manufactured and complete control of their software too. Because they had a decade of fault data from previous boxes to go on they were determined not to make the mistakes that had gone before in previous models. Together with that and the advancement in chip design they produced the Amstrad DRX 890 Sky+HD box. Its smaller by design and runs much cooler.

Everything about this box is well made and built to last. The capacitors which is the component that mostly gave trouble in the past are made by Rubycon. This is one of the world leaders in capacitor manufacturing – nothing cheap about Rubycon and will last for years.

The main micro processor is made by Broadcom – American I think and are world leaders in this field.

The Hard Drive is Seagate again only the best. So to conclude from somebody who has had more than their fair share of having to fix sky boxes. The Amstrad DRX 890 and Amstrad DRX 595 and Amstrad DRX 895 are very reliable and extremely well built set top boxes. I highly recommend these units and they are very future proof as they can be linked to your broadband and avail of all the online services available e. g BBC iplayer, Itv player and 4OD etc and Now TV. Some time back Sky removed the Amstrad logo and now boxes say manufactured by Sky. This you will find indented into the plastic casing on the top of the box at the back. To my knowledge the insides are still the same apart from some minute changes to the motherboards. Amstrad DRX 890 boxes I can highly recommend if your thinking of buying a Sky HD box.

Drop safes have been the primary choice for retail business for many years now and with good reason: they allow you to keep your cash safe, until you are able to move them to a more secure location. Businesses where large amounts of cash are handled daily, are prone to internal theft and robbery, which is why any manager or business owner should take into consideration the possibility of purchasing a drop safe. This way they will not have to leave their cash register full and wait for something bad to happen at any given moment. There are various types of drop boxes that people can choose from. Depending on your needs, you can choose from various sizes or closing systems. The most important thing is to make sure the one you choose is equipped with all the safety measures available on the market these days. This way, you will be able discourage any possible theft.

Those who want to buy safes should look for products that are equipped with anti-fishing devices as well as the ones who are drill protected. If you want to hang your drop box on a wall, make sure you choose one that is already drilled for this purpose and will not require altering it in any way and you should have no problems in fixing it safely wherever you decide. Retail companies have always benefitted from a locked drop box, because it enables them to keep their cash secure on a daily basis. Of course, not just retail companies can benefit from such an item. These locked boxes are perfect for companies that have internal mail. What better way to keep important documents out of reach until someone authorized can come and claim them?

Even though any system has its week spots, as long as you use it properly and take a few precautions, you should be able to obtain great results. Depending on where you are planning to place, the type of lock used is very important as well. A professional company will allow you to choose the type of look you want to be installed on your drop safes. You can choose the traditional cam-lock or go for the combination or electronic lock. While the digital lock is considered the best, you may not always need to make that investment. So put into balance all your needs and choose a product that meets all your requirements. There are plenty of options that you can add to your depository, including reinforced steel doors, various anchors or locks, so rest assured you will find anything you might need to keep your business secure.

All in all, drop safes are an excellent security accessory any company should have, especially those where large amounts of cash are being handled on a daily basis. Such a safety measure will allow you to avoid any potential problem and keep your business out of trouble. There are many examples of business where money gets lost or the employee theft rate is very high, so you should invest in a locked drop box, if you want to avoid dealing with this type of problems.

Pssst…! Wanna know a secret?

How about the secrets of winning at electronic craps slot machines?

There are a lot of new slot machines in casinos, and a few might resemble a craps layout. These are especially popular in places where real craps is illegal – like in some Indian casinos. Technically these games are just slot machines, the casinos say, and not illegal dice games.

Wanna know how craps pros increase their winnings at electronic craps?

Let’s find out!

The first thing you should do is look at the playing area. You will probably see no hard ways, no don’t come, and no don’t pass. You also need to read the instructions on the side of the machine, as there are two basic machine types.

The first type is like a normal craps game – You win on the 7/11 comeout and lose if a 2, 3 or 12 is rolled.

The second basic type is a “crapless” machine – You win only on the seven comeout, there are no craps numbers, and any other number (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10 ,11, or 12) becomes the point. This crapless game is very bad for the player as the casino edge is higher than the regular game. If you have a choice, play the regular game rather than the crapless one.

In either case, find the chart depicting the payoffs for all the numbers. You may be surprised to find totally different odds than you are used to. In addition, the machine only pays off even dollars. Let’s look at an example.

Let’s say you normally bet $6 on both the six and eight, and for this bet you get 7:6 odds, or $7 when you win. But now you look at the chart and it says that 6 & 8 place bets pay 2.15 for 1. Wow, you think, this pays more than a regular bet! But 2.15 for 1 means 1.15 to 1, so if you bet $1 you only get $1.15. Plus, you usually get paid in even dollars and if the payoff is $1.50, you only get $1.

So, if you bet $6 you will get $7 (1.15 x $6 = $6.90), but if you bet $3 you win $3 (rounded down from $3.45). This 1.15 to 1 casino odds turns out to be a 2.3% casino advantage, compared to 1.5% in “normal” craps. Make sure that you always bet the right amount so the machine “rounds up” your win instead of rounding it down.

One advantage to playing electronic craps lies in the minimum bet – it’s usually only 25 cents. And most machines have a 25 cent minimum and a $25 maximum bet so you can test your craps systems very inexpensively!

For example, let’s look at a simple double as you lose Martingale type system. In a normal seven level $5 minimum game ($5, $10, $20, $40, $80, $160, $320) you can lose up to $635.00 . But now you can test at the same seven levels (.25, .50, $1, $2, $4, $8, $16) and lose only a maximum of $31.75 . This is a perfect way to test a new or developing system!

The other advantage to electronic craps is that the machines usually have a place to swipe your comp card. Your comps here, however, are counted as slot machine credit, not for table games. You can also use slot coupons and special slot promotions to play electronic craps.

So, the next time you see a craps slot machine, give it a try – it’s certainly worth a quarter!

Pssst…! Now you know the secrets of electronic craps!

(c) 2006 by Larry Edell

Implementing an EMR system within your practice is not as easy as taking the software right out of the box and installing it. In fact, that is about as far from the truth as to how the process really works.

Implementing electronic medical records is a daunting task for most practices and the federal government estimates that the EMR failure rate tops out at 30 percent.

For clarification’s sake, some of the failures are due to software and hardware issues but most of the time; the problems are due to human error – poor planning, lack of communication, and poor training.

The biggest challenge with EMR implementation is managing the people involved, not the actual software or hardware that is being installed. When you implement an EMR system in a practice, you are basically asking the staff to learn new skills and change their daily work habits. Change within a medical practice can be a challenging thing to take on.

The first step in the implementation process is to establish a project team. Who all is on your team will obviously depend on the size of your practice. If you are a soloist, you are technically the project manager although you may delegate some responsibilities to others.

A project manager will also be necessary to coordinate the rollout with your EMR vendor. Typically in a small office the office manager will play this role. Larger practices with several physicians may need to hire a full-time project manager on a temporary basis or consider utilizing a consultant.

If you are a small office, it’s critical that you include everyone on the implementation team. If you don’t include everyone on the team and exclude certain folks from giving their input, don’t expect them to buy into using the EMR system. In a larger practice, you’ll want to get everyone’s opinion but you’ll obviously have to limit your implementation team’s size to maintain efficiency. It’s critical that you recruit members to the team from each department within your practice – front desk, clinical, medical records, billing, and administrative. It’s critical that you choose individuals from each department that are enthusiastic about the project and open minded to change and recommendations.

When it comes to the time frame associated with rolling out an EMR system, there are typically two approaches that are taken. The first is based on the “big bang” theory, meaning on a single day you switch over to the new system and immediately go live with it. The second approach is incremental and consists of implementing various features of the EMR system over a period of six months to a year.

The big bang approach allows you to implement your EMR system immediately and therefore achieve a quicker return on your investment. The down side to this approach is that it can create total chaos and lead to such frustration that end users abandon the EMR system.

Incremental implementation is generally easier for end users to accept and adapt too. If the EMR system has a billing and scheduling module, implement that first to make sure your practice will get paid. Then consider implementing e-prescribing and intra-office messaging. The idea is to implement the features first that are going to give your practice the biggest gains in efficiency. As end users begin to see the efficiencies gained, the system will widely become more accepted.

The last phase should be charting patient encounters with the templates that come with the program as many doctors find this part of the process the most frustrating. If you customize your templates, the key is to keep them as simple as possible so that all parties that will be using them will be happy with the system.

The next critical step in the implementation process is to make sure that everyone receives proper training and is comfortable using the system. Someone who doesn’t know how to navigate their way through a program with confidence will likely abandon the system.

You have to keep in mind that you will be working with people that have different levels of technological skills. This means you are going to have to assess the basic computer skills of everyone in your practice. The key is to gear EMR lessons to the lowest common denominator so that no one gets left behind. If you don’t bring everyone up to speed and get them on the same page, some folks may get left behind and be unsatisfied with using the system.

Once training is complete and your staff feels competent about using the system, it’s time to migrate to using it on the job. If you decide to take the incremental approach, every newly introduced functionality will have a “go live” day. The key is to give each function a trial run ahead of time before taking it live to ensure that the software and hardware are working.

The biggest challenge of going live will be when your practice switches from using paper charts entirely to using the EMR for charting patient encounters. The key is to plan ahead and go live during a slower time of the year.

During the first week of going live it’s a good idea for your staff to meet frequently to discuss your progress, identify problems and address any additional training needs.

The biggest key to success when implementing an EMR system is to make sure your team is dedicated to achieving success and that everyone is motivated towards achieving the same goal. Make sure and set realistic expectations and reward staff for meeting these goals.

Make sure and listen to all concerns and complaints during the process and address these issues as they come up. People want to give their input and feel like a part of the team even if they don’t expect everything to go their way. Listening becomes an important skill when working with doctors who are learning the ropes of a new EMR system.

Unaccepted adoption of an EMR system among doctors in a group can be a total failure, because they end up with two parallel record systems – one on paper, one electronic – along with two different workflows. If this occurs, you can forget about achieving that desired return on your investment. The goal is to have a doctor that truly believes in the EMR implementation and have him or her work with others that are skeptic in order to get them on board with using the system.

The most important part of the implementation is one hundred percent commitment through out the entire process. There will be times when the work is hard and frustrating but in the end, once the EMR has successfully been implemented and accepted, the benefits received will far out weigh the challenges that your practice had to over come to get there.

Electric wheelchair traveling can be a hassle for the users but if they are well prepared, there is no place on earth that is out of bounds for wheelchair users.For most wheelchair users when traveling, accessibility is always an issue, be it boarding the plane or cruise to moving along the narrow aisle on board them. This article discusses about traveling on different modes of transport for wheelchair users going overseas and the things to look out for when traveling.

Electric wheelchair users have to make sure his wheelchair or handicap scooter is in good condition before leaving home. It is advisable to send your wheelchair for servicing especially before a long haul trip. Remind the service man to tighten any loose bolts and screws and also add lubricant to the axles of the wheels. You would want your wheelchair to be in tip top condition when traveling to prevent any problems that will wreck the enjoyment of the holiday. Time can be better sightseeing than finding a repair shop and waiting for repair.Write your name,contact number, return address and destination on tags that can be attached to your electric wheelchair and any removable parts. Some of the parts are expensive and difficult to replace so it is recommended that you take care of them too. Electric wheelchairs with pneumatic tires run a risk of having flat tires. It is therefore handy to bring along a repair kit that contains parts necessary to switch a flat tire. The repair kit can be a small palm sized box but enough to store the crucial parts that are small.

When traveling by cruise, boarding and disembarkation is the more troublesome parts of the journey. Basically, there are 3 ways a wheelchair user can disembark from the cruise ship: The first way applies to users who are able to walk down the gangway and the wheelchair will be handled separately by the ship assistants. For those who have problems walking, I suggest you stay on the wheelchair and allow the strong sailors to carry the wheelchair plus yourself down the gangway. The last method is by using what we call “creepy crawler”. It is a mechanical system which the electric wheelchair mounts onto, converting it to a “walking” system. Electric wheelchair and scooter users have to take note that they are unable to employ the last two methods of disembarkation as the weight of the electric wheelchair is simply too heavy to be carried and also risk damaging the electronic components with too much vibrations. Ship assistants will advise you to transfer to a manual wheelchair and transferred off the ship separately. You can return to your electric wheelchair or scooter at the pier.

The most common form of transport is by air and the different airlines actually perform differently when wheelchair travelers are concerned. It takes extra efforts to provide satisfied service for wheelchair travelers and proper training should be rendered to the airline staffs. Back to the wheelchair users, call to confirm your flight details as they are subjected to change. Electric wheelchair users will spend a lot more time transferring between airport terminals if they arrive at the wrong one. You need to also inform in advance the airline that you will be traveling in a electric wheelchair, manual wheelchair or handicap scooter. Ask for additional assistance when you reach the airline counter.Electric wheelchair users have to request for “gate check” as it allows you to move directly onto the plane. The airline staff will assist you in placing the wheelchair at a corner after you transfer to the seat, usually by the aisle. You are reminded to remove the leg and seat cushions and carry along by your side as these loose components may go missing while in storage. If the wheelchair can be folded, use duct tapes to tie the wheelchair together, keeping it as compact as possible. This will prevent damage from rough airport handlers.

Other steps to take while traveling by used electric wheelchairs and scooters include the type of batteries to use. The best form of batteries to use for traveling are the gel cell and dry cell batteries. Refrain from using wet cell batteries as there is a possibility of leakage and airlines usually ban them from being taken on board.If your electric wheelchairs were to be stored in the goods compartment of the airplane, you must take precautions to prevent unwarranted use of your electric wheelchairs by the handlers. Set the electric wheelchair transmission to neutral gear such that it can be manually pushed to its storage location. Remove the battery connections between both chair and battery and use a duct tape on both ends. Never leave a open wire dangling. Keep the power cord by your side at all times. You also have to remove the joystick and keep beside you or if it is fixed to the electric wheelchair, loosen the joystick and point it downwards. This is to prevent damage to the joystick due to other weights being piled on top of it.

For electric wheelchair travelers who often have to move along the aisle of the transport vehicle i.e. plane or cruise, the electric wheelchairs have to be left behind as they are too wide for the narrow aisle. In these situations, the transport operators have to provide aisle chairs which are skinny enough to move down the aisle and bring the wheelchair user to his or her seat. In recent years, airlines have made provisions such as knock down arm rests among its seats on board flights. This helps to cater to the increasing number of savvy wheelchair travelers worldwide and airlines have also gained in their image as all encompassing enterprises with no discrimination.

As a last piece of advice for wheelchair travelers, do not assume the care of your electric wheelchairs to be the prerogative of the transport operators. You, as the owner, should take every steps to prepare for wheelchair travel and cooperate with the standard operating procedures of the operators as far as possible. Being considerate is the key here, it will also be the deciding factor whether the you will enjoy your holiday or completely spoil it. Pack up and enjoy electric wheelchair users out there!