How to Secure Bedside Support Rail without Any Nuts or Bolts

I recently purchased a Bedside Support Rail to assist my 94-year old mother getting into and out of bed. The intent of the support rail is to provide moderate assistance with sitting up and standing only. With the able assistance of a neighbor, we quickly and easily assembled and installed the support rail. However, there was one minor glitch. From a standing position, the horizontal "grab" portion could easily be pulled up and out of the vertical housing tube.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• One foot of Velcro - Sticky Back (1-inch width)

1. Cut two 6-inch lengths of Velcro. Remove the backing and wrap the first length tightly around the vertical tube just under the lower plastic ring (there are two plastic rings). Repeat this with the second 6-inch length right on top of the first. Because of the stickiness, it's just lots easier to work with a shorter strip of the tape than a longer one.

2. 
    
   Widened diameter of vertical tube

   The wrapped-around layers of Velcro increased the diameter of the vertical tube where it met the lower plastic ring, thus preventing the tube from being able to be pulled up and out.

3. Firmly pull up on the "grab" bar to make sure the Velcro is firmly in place and the bar cannot be pulled up and out.

4. 
    
   Note where Velcro has been placed on the tube

   In just a few minutes' time and by using a small amount of adhesive-backed Velcro, the security of the bedside support rail has been greatly enhanced.

Tips & Warnings

• If you need to dismantle the bedside support rail, make sure you remove the Velcro first.

[mattsaboy]

on 9/2/2009 Very informative article. 5 stars and a recommendation.

[flagler]

on 8/25/2009 Sounds like a good idea IF it really is secure enough to prevent the person from falling.