After months of preparation and planning, non slip treads by Handi-Ramp are now officially available thru Amazon’s FBA (Fulfillment by Amazon) Canada program. What does that mean? For those current and potential customers located in Canada you no longer have to pay excessive shipping and handling fees to receive your product, or will you need […]
Yearly Archives: 2013
As Thanksgiving quickly approaches, some 40 million or more Americans will hit the road over the course of this week. Remember last year when Chicago and St. Louis was hit with heavy fog the day before Thanksgiving? This year seems to echo the same theme with Winter Storm Boreas bearing down on the eastern seaboard, […]
Each year around the first week of November, PATH Int’l (Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International and EAAT (equine-assisted activities and therapies) hosts a conference and annual meeting to promote equine-assisted activities and therapies for individuals with special needs and build participant skills. This year, the event was held in Orlando FL and featured 19 […]
Today, millions of Americans will take a moment or two to thank our armed forces for their service and sacrifice. Did you know Veterans Day was created by President Wilson in 1919 to honor those who served (should not be confused with Memorial Day which celebrates those in the armed forces who have died). Since […]
Forklifts or powered industrial trucks are such an integral tool to warehouses that they’re almost like the air workers breathe – taken for granted. A forklift is a powerful tool that allows a single person to lift and move large heavy loads, such as a yard ramp. But there are risks with a forklift. According […]
Let’s face it – you’re sad the pontoon boat your family owns must be stored away. It’s the time of year where no one will take a ride on the lake no matter what they are bribed with, all due to cold temperatures. On a positive note, this IS the time of year when boat […]
When considering the purchase of a horse mounting ramp there are several safety considerations that should be taken into account. PATH International (Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International) has a few specifications for safety while the ramp is in use. In this article we review how the three safety criteria apply to Handi-Ramp horse mounting […]
Not long ago I took a call from a family who recently moved out of a 3 bedroom apartment and into a more spacious 4 bedroom home, bringing them closer to their retired, aging parents who themselves live in a small 2 bedroom home. The move allowed them to more freely navigate around the house […]
Now that much of the country is officially in the fall season, three times a week (Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday) hundreds if not thousands of baby boomers put down their flowering pots and knitting in favor of the local American Legion Hall hosting their weekly bingo session. Many of these Hall’s mentioned above play host […]
07
Oct
Oct
What if you and your wife recently purchased a home – it’s a gorgeous 2 story red-brick home, and although there is no interior work to be done, the exterior is another story. The grass looks burnt with random patches, the deck in the backyard is unfinished (only way on or off is the porch […]
If you’ve read the most recent OSHA’s (Occupational Safety and Heath Administration) top 10 citations for the 2012 calendar year (seen on OSHA’s website), fall protection tops the list. Not only that, but fall protection also topped the list for being assessed the highest penalties for the same time frame (October 1st 2011 – September […]
What is a Crossover Ramp? A crossover ramp is one that allows both small and larger type vehicles to cross over a cable, wire or hose that is obstructing the path of that vehicle. In some cases this same crossover ramp may also be called a ‘fracking ramp’ (named after the industry it serves), while […]
It is nearing fall again. It’s time for leaves to fall, and all kinds of critters to wander about their fall activities finding food, shelter and a place to hibernate for the winter. A window well could be a nice place for those animals to hang out for the cold winter months. Even in […]
Stairs as Art Have you ever thought that a set of stairs could be a work of art? Well they can be, especially if they represent music and culture at a nightclub or restaurant. One of our customers who is a mosaic artist called us about a recent project that they are working on. It […]
This past weekend I went to see a musical in my home town in southern Illinois. The building it was held in was built recently, and it was my first time seeing this new community theater. The main entrance was placed on the southwest street corner with a few stairs leading up to the lobby […]
Oftentimes when a customer calls me asking for helping selecting a ramp we are able to find an entire ecosystem of solutions for their home. Maybe they need a ramp for the garage entryway and forgot about the side door threshold. Or maybe they needed bathroom grab bars and forgot about the driveway slope. Take […]
Suppose you just purchased a new lease on a commercial building in the heart of Charleston SC. The equipment has been purchased and moved in and you’re about ready to open for business when a thunderstorm forms one night in the Atlantic Ocean just off the coast. The next morning you arrive only to find […]
As we leave the warmer summer months behind and enter the cooler, latter part of the year, we know one thing: football season is upon us. It is easy to get carried away (especially during high school and college games) when your team is playing at home against a top rank opponent. Quite often with […]
Many companies lack a loading dock for offloading freight from the back of a truck into the dock. Finding a solution that solves this particular problem has become a common issue when we hear from customers needing this product. Portable yard ramps are the solution to the problem of not having a loading dock. Recently, a […]
If you have not yet visited Ramps.org you are in for a real treat. Ramps.org is an educational website where you can learn more about the rise and run of a ramp, ADA guidelines, ramp materials, portable ramps, ramps for vehicles and much more.This highly popular informational website is supported by Handi-Ramp. One of the […]
What are the top four choices you must make when buying a dockboard or plate? Price, dimension, capacity, and safety. Many customers choose these dock products based on price alone, but that is like buying a pair of shoes even if they don’t fit you. Price alone is not and should not be the ultimate […]
Want to learn all you can about Yard Ramps before you make the decision to buy a yard ramp? Handi-Ramp has all of the yard ramp knowledge you are looking for in one place: the yard ramp knowledge base section. You’ll find the yard ramp knowledge base section at the bottom of each page in […]
Oil, natural gas and other fuels all come from the ground. As a result, they must be extracted using various means. Although I’m not a petroleum engineer, I must admit that the science behind it is fascinating. In visiting a fracking extraction facility recently, I was really able to get a handle on how the […]
It never ceases to amaze me the various applications Handi-Ramp carries for their products. Just the other day I got a call from an Embassy in Washington D.C who was looking for parking lot post protectors. Fifty of them! For those of you not familiar with post protectors, they are a protective device that is […]
When people purchase Handi-Treads more often than not the treads will be mounted to an outdoor area, such as stairs, a walkway, a ramp etc. As it is, many do not think of the indoor benefits a tread might have to other stairs or walkways. Just recently, we had a customer purchase some of our […]
Lack of Curb Ramps Threatens Safety If you had the chance to save a life (or two) and save thousands of dollars in the process, would you do it? What if I told you dozens of small towns and cities across the United States are and have been facing the rising problem of inaccessible curbsides […]
How to Keep Up with the Summer Demand for Beverages It was another summer day at Handi-Ramp, in a summer of unpredictable temperatures, when the phone rang. I could hear the raspy and dry voice from the other end. It was a potential customer calling us from a beverage distribution center in Tennessee. With temps […]
In the world of ramps we often think of capacity as being a top-three most important aspect for a ramp selection. Luckily, in the case of a PetSTEP ramp, one size fits all. Any breed you can think of will work with a PetSTEP ramp from the smallest teacup Pomeranian to the largest St. Bernard. […]
After weeks of conducting your research, going for a test drive, and speaking with service professionals, you finally made a decision regarding a new eco-friendly vehicle. Money is discussed and agreed upon, papers are signed, and the keys are handed over. You’re done, right? Not if the vehicle you just bought is unequipped for accessibility […]
This weekend’s festivities in the city of Chicago will put a strain on the cities resources to keep everyone safe – this includes a police force, garbage and other trash disposal, and an increase of Metra, taxi, and “L” riders. Originally created in 1991 and lasting for 6 years before a revival in 2003, Lollapalooza […]
When you look at a yard ramp from the side, you notice its design and structure is similar to a bridge. One end of the yard ramp rests on the floor of a semi truck trailer while the opposite end sits on the ground, forming a bridge between the two uneven height surfaces. Materials Bridges, like […]
With most of the country in the prime of 2013’s summer, many people flock to pools, lakes, and coastlines to keep cool. Sadly, many are unable to bring their pets along to enjoy the same freshness due to an injury or age. Why deny them the enjoyment of a cool dip in the water? Dogs […]
As we age, it often becomes necessary to use medication. The same is true for our dogs who suffer a wide range of health problems as they age. Giving medication to your pup, particularly in pill form, can sometimes be a challenge so let’s take a look at a few different approaches you can try. […]
The image of accessibility is undergoing a remodeling. Starting in New York and moving to other areas of the country, Chicago is one of the hotbeds of change. Self Image is Everything How we think about ourselves is everything. Image is everything. And the idea that being in a wheelchair is inherently an inactive state […]
Whether through age, illness, or disability, becoming reliant on a wheelchair paves the way for considerable changes to your way of life. The same four walls you’ve live in all your life can become a prison. Something as simple as getting from your driveway to your front door can become a challenge if you’re in […]
Now that winter has finally departed for most of the United States, families and individuals alike look to put down their phones, shut off their laptops, and enjoy the warmer temps heading their way. Many families, when considering a travel destination, take accessibility into consideration when travelling with a family member that requires a wheelchair. […]
According to the 2010 census, nearly 57 million people in the United States have a disability. That’s 19 percent of the population! This means more likely than not, you know someone who has a disability. So how do you prepare your home if you invite that person over for dinner, a movie marathon, or game […]
Safety is paramount in any workplace, but especially in warehouses and workshops, where staff deal with sharp tools and heavy equipment on a daily basis. Here are some good tips for creating a safe work space. Store your tools safely Leaving tools lying around your workshop is a sure-fire way to get someone injured. Make […]
In the last twenty years or so, hundreds of product has been invented with the intention of not only earning a large profit, but changing the way of life. Take for example the launching of the World Wide Web (1990), Apple’s iPod (2001) and later the iPhone (2007, and the first hybrid vehicle (Toyota Insight […]
When choosing to have a permanent ramp installed at your home or business, there are two main options for the ramp’s material: wood and aluminum. Despite wood ramps being less expensive than those made from aluminum, the durability, practicality, and simplicity of an aluminum ramp make it well worth the extra cost. Wood Ramp vs. […]
Safety around the home is something all homeowners should be aware of, and any steps that can be taken to improve safety are almost certainly good steps to take. Of course, most homeowners must also be concerned with the expense of any such improvements, so it is wise to look for ways to upgrade […]
Paying it forward by building wheelchair ramps in the community Paying it forward is a big thing these days. Giving back to the community is something that is becoming very important in the learning process at all educational levels. We see this with building ramps for the disabled in communities all over the country. High […]
Suppose it is Thursday night. It’s your weekly bowling night with the guys at the local lanes. The weather outside is low 30’s with a chance for snow around the second game. That’s ok, you say. You’ll take your smoke break after the first game is completed and take a little more time than normal. […]
Slipping is one of the biggest – and costliest – reasons for employee absence, not to mention subsequent compensation claims. Sliding across the floor might seem like one of the least serious accidents, but it can result in some nasty strains, fractures and even concussions. As an employer, with a duty of care and safety […]
It takes all kinds of modifications to make a home accessible for someone who physically challenged: portable wheelchair ramps, grab bars, handrails and more. However, the changes you make should not end with safety features. Security is also a major issue. The changes that make a home more accessible can also be a signal to […]
In part 1 of our oil field services blog, we introduced how a product is born and the steps needed to be taken before it becomes a reality. In part 2, we will discuss the drastic need for such large capacity ramps as it pertains to not only the oil field industry, but construction sites […]
This past weekend I visited a former professor at my alma mater college in the Midwest. As I drove through the outskirts of campus, the hilly sections brought back memories when my classmates and I, weather permitting, sat one those hills and studied. Now years later I see many sections of the campus newly remodeled. […]
What is the best option for stair repair? Pour new concrete or repair stairs with HandiTreads? Have you recently made a decision to repair your stairs? Have they been deteriorating or deemed unsafe by a family member or neighbor? What if you had concrete stairs that were structurally sound, but the surface was pitted with […]
If you are a business owner or are responsible for the safety and well-being of your employees and are in need of information on how to minimize slipping or falling, then you have come to the right place. This article will provide you with some simple, key procedures that can and should be implemented right […]
At last, summer has arrived! This is the time of year for families and friends to grab their swimsuits, suntan lotion, and towels and get into the water. We at Handi-Ramp, north of Chicago in Libertyville, are lucky as there are many aquatic options within a few hours’ ride. It is relaxing and fun to […]
North Dakota is the new Texas when it comes to fuel extraction. Deep within the Earth’s crust is a highly sought-after goldmine centering on abundant shale deposits which must be extracted through a process called hydraulic fracking. This extraction has companies locked in a battle to tap into the multimillion-dollar market. The Fracking Process Hydraulic […]
Like humans older dogs are more prone to diseases and problems as they get older. While you should be taking your dog to the vet for regular checkups, as most dog owners leave long gaps between each checkup (usually a year), it’s worth keeping an eye on your dog’s health yourself in case anything crops […]
Our hearts go out to the many in Oklahoma who have lost loved ones and to those recovering after the storm. With severe weather bringing horrendous tornadoes to Oklahoma, many residents are now beginning to clean up after two days of sheer shock. While thousands of people were able to seek shelter from the […]
If you look back over the last 100 years, you’ll see that there have been a number of positive steps towards the creation of an equal and fair society. There have been a number of laws passed to ensure that people from different faiths and of different genders are treated with the respect that they […]
For thousands of years, brave young men and women have put their lives on the line to defend our freedom, and for thousands of years the vast majority of those who return home must attend to varying degrees of injuries. Topping the list of the most common injury is an amputation, with many of our […]
Weather Changes – In Boston as Well as Anywhere – Think of Safety – Think of HandRails Imagine yourself invited to an important fund-raiser at one of the top hotels in Boston. You bought a brand new designer gown weeks ago, and just recently purchased a pair of new heels, which happen to be the […]
Slip, trip, and fall accidents make up a large proportion of industrial accidents, and cause serious injuries in homes across the country. While it may seem simple to just “watch where you’re going,” people living or working in areas with a high risk of slip, trip, and fall accidents can use other, more surefire measures […]
No Loading Dock at the Strip Mall Recently, a real estate developer came to us with a serious problem he was facing. He was a signature away from leasing a strip mall in the Southeast and was looking at three potential tenants. However, these tenants had one common issue that would prevent the deal from […]
Now that the Midwest weather has begun to warm up and flowers bud, many of us have started to think of home improvement projects for the year. Various home improvement companies will generate TV and radio ads to promote assorted products. As it turns out, Las Vegas will be hosting the largest housing hardware products […]
In three of our previous segments, we’ve introduced the question of what portable ramp is right for me, and introduced a seven part series to better help you understand ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) requirements. So far we’ve covered what the ramps use or purpose is, and more importantly what the rise you’re trying to […]
Many companies rely on forklift operators to complete everyday tasks for them. Companies put their operators through substantial training to ensure each and every task is completed correctly. Forklift operator training is important, but there are also forklift safety accessories a company can use to keep their operators and forklifts as safe as possible. Companies […]
New Products Are Born from New Industries: The Fracking Ramp Have you ever had an idea for developing a new product? Maybe its something you drew up years ago and never followed up, or it’s someone else’s idea and you’re following up on it. Nevertheless, we have a great story to share with you about […]
Deer Thrive in Suburban Environs Late last week I received a call from a customer located in a far northern suburb of Chicago IL – not too far from where Handi-Ramp is based. If you are unfamiliar with the far northern areas, we are famous for Six Flags Great America, and Gurnee Mills Mall, the […]
Much has been written about owning a new puppy, but much less spoken of are the demands presented by owning a dog in its senior years. Modern advances in veterinary care mean that more and more dogs are living to a ripe old age – and although these senior years can be just as rewarding, […]
A Visit From Mom I received a call earlier in the week from a customer in Texas whose mother is visiting later this spring. Due to the home’s architecture there is a sunken living room that sits a few feet below the house’s foundation requiring two stairs between the family room and kitchen. Her mother […]
Companies, particularly in the manufacturing industry, spend millions of dollars a year maintaining and improving workplace safety standards. A team of researchers in England recently broke down four key factors that affect workplace safety and outlined how to improve them. Grouping the Factors The factors that influence workplace safety, like many other things in human society, are […]
Sunny On the West Coast With the weather feeling a bit more like spring in Chicago, it’s easy to forget the West Coast has decent to beautiful weather all year long. If you’ve had a chance to visit San Francisco like I have, you’ll quickly come to realize the lack of clouds and abundance of […]
The Rise and the Run of a Ramp In our two previous segments, we introduced the idea of purchasing a ramp into several different sections and introduced those sections to you. We also offered a variety of options to choose from trying to determine what ramp is best for you. In this part of our […]
Increasing Number of Natural Disasters Over the Years Over the last several years, the world in general has been beset by a series of catastrophic natural disasters. Notables include the Haiti earthquake (2010), Hurricane Katrina (2005), Joplin tornado (2011), California wildfires (2007), and winter storm Nemo (2013). With these disasters, the world has had to […]
Hello, and welcome back. In our previous segment, we introduced the question of how to choose the best ramp to fit your needs, and because of its complexity, we decided to write a seven part series that will review detailed information to better help your decision. Location and Purpose of Your Ramp In this segment, […]
I spoke with a customer earlier this week who had a good question: they live in a single family residence and wanted to know what the right ramp length for them is? Unfortunately, this is a very complex question. Every situation is unique with several factors that must be considered when determining the length of […]
A New Wheelchair Ramp for a New Van While I was watching the news a few days ago, the local newsperson gave estimated statistics for the number of vehicles traveling later this year for the major holidays. Immediately following the news the next commercial was two car commercials promoting their respective 2013 models and “last […]
I was out this weekend with friends at a Karaoke Bar, having a good time and letting go of the weeks’ events. As the get together went along, I was heavily persuaded to get up and sing. Well, little did I know that my singing efforts would turn into a foray of dock history. The […]
Special Aunts I have many aunts. All of them are special and favorite to me. I have many fond memories of them. Many of these memories are of Easter. Of course I remember painting eggs and candy. And years when Easter was warmer and in April, not March. Letting Go but Still Caring One thing […]
Accidents can happen on spring break, even though vacation is a time to relax, have fun and forget your worries. But there are a few cases where having fun can be dangerous, many do not pay attention to what is going on. I witnessed a near slip and fall when I was on traveling in […]
If you’ve ever run into a problem securing a portable pet ramp to the rear door of your vehicle, the following story could change your life. Many vehicles on the road today are not designed to accommodate a portable pet ramp that will assist your pet into the rear seat. If someone were to attempt […]
Imagine walking through a nature preserve, admiring its beauty and lack of street noise. You come up to an area with a wooden staircase leading down to a pond. One foot is planted on the top stair, then a second foot. Before you take another step, you are losing traction, slipping off the stair. By […]
What does the phrase ‘Made in the USA’ mean to you? With Presidents week wrapped up and honorably ending with Washington’s official Birthday, it is always good to take a moment to think about our country, what it stands for, and reflect on being an American. One of the things that makes President’s day a […]
What happens when you place two popular concerts back to back in a major league ballpark and then have a game to play the day after? Quite a lot actually. Last summer at a major league stadium in the Midwest two concerts were held on consecutive nights. When the dust settled, and after the stages […]
With the hint of graduation right around the corner, many high schools and universities have begun the rigorous process of planning one of the biggest events of a student’s life – graduation. First there’s a question of venue – hold it on campus or rent a larger space elsewhere? Second is the question of how […]
Just in time for Valentine’s Day we received a wonderful Valentine from a customer: I love my PetStep rubberized dog ramp. I bought the dog ramp because I live in the mountains where there is rough terrain, decomposing granite, dirt and mud, when it rains and snows. If you travel with your dogs into the […]
Millions of people around the world go through life with an illness or disability without the pleasure of experiencing something most people take for granted. For example, some deal with asthma, preventing them from participating in a marathon. Others are deaf preventing them from hearing the sweet sound of music, and some have an allergy […]
Each day thousands of new babies are born throughout the world, and from the start, we tell ourselves we’ll do everything in our power to keep that child safe. Well, this concept applies to not only humans, but pets as well. When they are adopted and brought into our home for the first time, it […]
When winter arrives, you feel it: a freezing cold, snowy, slushy season. One of the first things many people do is grab that $20 bag of salt at the nearest grocery store. In any given winter, we go through several bags of the clear pellets in hopes of reducing slips and falls by family members, […]
Who do you call if your municipal building (circa early 1900’s) is in need of a new ramp that needs to reach a height of over 12 feet, encompasses over 120 feet of actual ramp surface and meets all ADA requirements? Did I mention that this municipal building was located in Oregon requiring the ramp […]
With the Chicago winter slowly winding down, many residents are readying themselves for another season: graduation. Many people will have a son or daughter, grandson or granddaughter walking across the prestigious stage this coming spring, and because of the achievement, many families will bring their extended families in from around the area, or across state […]
Early this morning I received a call from a construction company located in Washington D.C. It was a previous customer calling about a ramp project. The ramp was a massive 95 foot ramp, one of the largest we have made here at Handi-Ramp. The customer recalled his great experience with Handi-Ramp me over the phone […]
I awoke before sunrise Monday morning, a.k.a. Super Monday, to find three inches of snow had fallen overnight and encased my vehicle. Luckily, I did not slip and fall walking out the front door, or along my driveway. I have installed HandiTreads on my front steps on top of a threshold ramp. The snowfall this […]
I recently took a flight from Chicago to Las Vegas, and upon arriving at the airport, I met a couple who decided to go on an adventurous vacation to visit some old friends. Both were seasoned travelers and frequent visitors to Las Vegas. The wife was temporarily wheelchair-bound, due to the fact that she had […]
At Handi-Ramp, we’ve been making ramps that bring safety and security to our customers for over 54 years. We bring solutions to the accessibility, safety, and materials handling industries. Our job is to solve customer problems — We provide advice to make your material handling operations run smoother, create handicapped accessibility, or we make your […]
Treads – I leaned a new meaning of a very old word today. Officially, the dictionary lists the definition as “To tread on something, to walk on.” Reading on, I also leaned there are many types of “treads”, including a tire tread, shoe tread, and even the specific way a person walks. Then there are […]
Many times during the year, people with physical limitations travel and stay with family and friends and are often challenged with the lack of accessibility away from home. The solution might be buying a portable ramp, if the need will be frequent. The length of a portable ramp is often not long enough to surmount […]
It was Friday, the start of the weekend and I was looking forward to it. After a slight slip on icy cement sidewalk my mind was on slip, trip and falls all weekend. I work for Handi-Ramp. We sell safety products. Typically when I’m out and about I am scanning for potential improvements that can […]
I just got off the phone with a customer in Pittsburgh who had a “last minute emergency.” Rush delivery on a ramp? Not a problem! We’ve worked with many organizations who needed a ramp meeting ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) requirements. At Handi-Ramp we have ADA ramp experts available to expedite your last minute rush […]
We’ve all been there. The Problem: You are working at a retail or wholesale store. It’s near the end of your shift, and the boss just asked you to move a box of heavy merchandise from one section of the floor to the other. As you struggle to handle the increasing weight of the box […]
A customer called and asked, “I’m interested in how you attained OSHA approval of your safety surfaces, as you claim on your tread plates. Can you provide me documentation on this?” This is a great question. I have reconstructed the process we went through to validate that claim. The OSHA Standard 29 CFR 1910 Subpart […]
During the summer of 2012, we received an e-mail inquiry to provide a wheelchair lift and platform for a gentleman suffering from the first stages of ALS, Lou Gehrig’s disease. His wife, who initiated contact, was very pleased to find out that our company, Handi-Ramp, is based in the Chicago area. She was also thrilled […]
“How long does my wheelchair ramp have to be?” This is a question I am asked several times daily, and unfortunately there is not a simple answer. There are many different factors in determining the correct ramp size, including the rise (distance between the top stair and ground), space available for a ramp vs. space […]
Many people go through life depending on the assistance of others. Such was the idea in this case. An employee at a Chicagoland Institution contacted us about outfitting their restrooms with grab bars for those physically disabled. Upon speaking with a disability expert, the school decided to purchase five grab bars to be used in one […]
Earlier this morning a potential customer contacted Handi-Ramp via phone and explained her situation. This is her story. Her husband, who is wheelchair bound 90% of the day, was lucky enough to have a friend build them a wooden ramp so that he could access their home more easily. Unfortunately, many problems arose after the […]
- 1
- 2