Moving around your home shouldn’t be a struggle, but as we get older, the stairs can start to feel like an obstacle — making parts of your house harder to reach.
In Kenya, falls are the second most common cause of serious injuries requiring hospitalization, and elderly adults face significantly higher risks. Moreover, mobility is the most common type of disability, affecting 42% of persons with disabilities, and many homes lack the accessibility features needed for safe movement between floors.
A home lift is a simple way to regain access to your whole house, letting you travel between floors comfortably. But if you’ve never had a lift at home before, you might be wondering — how safe are they?
The good news is there are a range of home lift safety features designed to protect you at all times, from sensors that detect obstructions to battery backups that ensure you’re never left stranded.
We’ll walk you through each feature included in our Stiltz Home Lifts, breaking down exactly how they work to keep you safe.
Are home lifts safe?
That’s the big question isn’t it? It’s completely normal to have safety concerns when thinking about installing a lift in your home — especially if it’s your first time.
After all, the idea of a moving platform inside your house might sound unusual at first.
But rest assured, domestic home lifts are carefully designed with your safety in mind, making them a reliable and secure way to travel between floors.
In fact, they can be far safer than continuing to struggle with the stairs. In rural western Kenya, falls were the main cause of death among elderly women, accounting for 13% of trauma deaths, with elderly people facing a 7-fold higher risk of trauma death compared to.
Globally, approximately 37.3 million falls severe enough to require medical attention occur each year, with adults over 60 suffering the greatest number of fatal falls.
Installing a home lift removes this risk, giving you a safer and more comfortable way to navigate your home.
In the following sections, we’ll introduce the four core safety features of the Stiltz Home Lift, helping you understand why it’s a safe and reliable choice for your home.
1. Sensors
Stiltz Home Lifts are equipped with multiple sensors designed to prevent accidents and ensure smooth operation. These sensors can detect potential obstructions, control movement speed, and ensure the lift stops safely at all times.
Below is an overview of the different types of sensors and their functions:
| Sensor Type | Function Description |
|---|---|
| Weight Sensor |
Every home lift has a maximum weight capacity, and Stiltz lifts can carry up to 170 kg. This capacity is sufficient to accommodate a wheelchair (Stiltz Trio), laundry, or other household items. If the weight limit is exceeded, the lift will automatically stop to prevent overloading, protecting the mechanism and ensuring long-term reliability. |
| Movement Sensors |
Stiltz lifts are equipped with movement sensors at both the base and top of the lift car, which detect any obstacles above or below. If an object is detected, the lift will stop immediately until the obstruction is removed. This feature is particularly useful in multi-generational homes, preventing toys or household items from accidentally entering the lift’s travel path. → We have several videos demonstrating how the lift stops immediately whenever something is placed underneath — such as a foot, mobile phone, or balloon. |
| Light Curtain Sensors |
For enhanced safety, Stiltz lifts feature light curtain sensors on both sides of the lift car entrance. Even something as light as a jacket placed over the door will trigger the sensor to stop the lift. → In this video, you can see a circular icon below the emergency stop button — the lift stopped because a jacket was resting on the door. Once the jacket was removed, the icon turned green, and the lift resumed its movement. |
| Balance Sensor | The balance sensor detects whether the weight inside the lift car is evenly distributed. If an imbalance is detected, the system automatically pauses operation until the user adjusts the load. This prevents the lift from tilting or swaying while moving up or down. |
| Speed Sensor |
Stiltz Home Lifts travel at a steady speed of approximately 0.55 km/h, taking around 20 seconds to move between floors. If the system detects any irregularity or overspeed, the sensor automatically activates a safety mechanism to stop the lift immediately, preventing any potential acceleration hazards. → Watch our Stiltz Home Lift travelling from the ground floor to the first floor |
2. Fall Arrest Mechanism
Unlike many home lifts that rely on load-bearing walls, Stiltz Home Lifts use a dual high-strength steel cable suspension system to ensure the lift car moves smoothly and securely between floors.
In the rare event that a cable loosens or breaks, the patented Stiltz Fall Arrest Mechanism automatically activates, bringing the lift car to a safe and gentle stop.
This technology guarantees that the lift will never drop suddenly or fall freely, allowing users to feel completely at ease in any situation.
Every ride is protected by this invisible “safety net.”
3. Hold-to-Run Controls
Stiltz Home Lifts use a “hold-to-run” control system, which means the lift only moves while you are continuously pressing the button. Once you release it, the lift comes to a smooth stop.
This design allows users to stay in full control of their journey:
- Want to pause midway? Simply release the button, and the lift will stop gently.
- Ready to continue? Press the button again to resume.
Here’s a video showing that the lift only moves while the button is held down — and it also demonstrates that if anyone or anything is on top of the lift, it will remain completely still. (This homelift is going nowhere! Testing one of the many safety features unique to Stiltz)
This system eliminates the risk of automatic or unintended movement, allowing every trip to proceed at your own pace — especially ideal for older adults or users with limited mobility.
4. Battery Backup Supply
Power outages can be unpredictable, and many people worry about what would happen if the electricity went out while they were using the lift. However, Stiltz Home Lifts are equipped with a built-in battery backup system that automatically activates in the event of a power cut.
If the power goes out while the lift is in motion, the backup battery engages the system and gently lowers the lift car to the ground floor, allowing passengers to exit safely.
This means that even during an unexpected power outage, you’ll never be trapped between floors — you can safely leave the lift and wait comfortably until power is restored.
As you can see, Stiltz Home Lifts were designed from the very beginning with safety as the core priority — from multiple sensors that protect you while in motion to built-in systems that keep you safe even during a power failure, ensuring your peace of mind every time you ride.
But safety is only part of the story. Stiltz lifts are also designed with simplicity, quiet operation, and elegance in mind — making your everyday life easier, calmer, and more stylish.
That’s why thousands of households around the world have chosen Stiltz to transform their homes.
Why Choose a Stiltz Home Lift?
Among the many types of residential lift solutions, Stiltz stands out for its innovative design, safe structure, and original British quality.
Whether you’re installing it for elderly convenience, barrier-free living, or as part of your future home planning, a Stiltz Home Lift fits perfectly into all kinds of houses — offering a safe, elegant, and effortless vertical mobility experience.
Our Five Key Advantages
1. No Pit or Machine Room Required — Fast Installation
Traditional home elevators often require extensive structural work — digging a pit, building a shaft, and adding a machine room.
Stiltz Home Lifts are different.
Stiltz lifts use a self-supporting rail system, it means the lift carries its own weight through two strong, vertical rails that extend from floor to ceiling. → Eliminating the need for the traditional pit, shaft, or separate machine room. → Allows for quick, clean installation.
The installation process is clean and quick, taking as little as 1–2 days to complete — making it ideal for both new homes and renovation projects.
Key points of the dual-rail design (self-supporting rail):
- Even weight distribution
- Reduced lift wear and tear to the lift
- No tilting even with sudden movement
- Stable, safe, and quiet operation
2. Works with a Standard Household Socket
Stiltz lifts could plug directly into a standard household socket, with no need for extra electrical wiring or modifications.
It’s incredibly energy efficient — using no more power than it takes to boil a kettle — which means you can install it in almost any suitable location in your home without worrying about power limitations.
3. Quiet Operation — Peaceful and Comfortable
Stiltz lifts use an exclusive drive system and precision-engineered motor, operating at only 50–60 decibels — about the same noise level as a normal conversation — ensuring your home remains quiet and comfortable.
Here’s a short video that demonstrates just how quiet the Stiltz Home Lift is in operation — you’ll barely hear it move.
4. British Design, Globally Certified
Stiltz is an original British brand, and all products comply with the European Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC and are certified by the European Lift Association.
Recognized worldwide for quality and reliability, Stiltz lifts are sold in over 50 countries and widely used across Europe, the United States, and Asia, ensuring complete safety and confidence.
More than 25,000 home lifts have already been installed across the world!
5. Professional After-Sales Service and Genuine Maintenance
Stiltz’s authorized local teams provide factory-approved maintenance and repair services, ensuring long-term stable performance of your lift.
From installation to ongoing maintenance, our expert consultants and technicians are with you every step of the way.
Stiltz — More Than a Lift, an Extension of Comfort and Independence at Home
A Stiltz Home Lift isn’t just about moving between floors — it’s about living freely and confidently in the home you love. Safe, quiet, and effortless, it connects every level of your house with comfort and style.
Whether you’re planning for the future, supporting a loved one’s mobility, or simply adding convenience to your lifestyle, Stiltz brings every floor within easy reach — beautifully and securely.
If you’d like to learn more about Stiltz Home Lifts, click the article to find out more.
If you have more questions, you can find the answers in this article:
<< Stiltz Home Lift FAQs: Installation, Usage, Space & More >>
FAQ
Can You Fall Out of Stiltz Home Lift?
The short answer is No.
If you have pets or children at home, it’s natural to worry about the risk of someone falling while the lift is in motion.
Rest assured — Stiltz Home Lifts are equipped with light curtain sensors at the lift entrance. Whenever a person, pet, or object crosses the doorway while the lift is moving, the system automatically stops operation.
This means that if a child, pet, or any object enters the doorway during movement, the lift will stop immediately, completely eliminating the risk of falling or getting trapped.
What Safety Standards Do Stiltz Home Lifts Meet?
All Stiltz Home Lifts comply with and are certified under the BS EN ISO 9001:2015 International Quality Management System.
This international standard ensures that at every stage — from design, manufacturing, and installation to after-sales support — we meet strict requirements for safety and quality.
This certification guarantees that every Stiltz Home Lift:
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Uses safe and durable materials.
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Maintains consistent quality control throughout the production process.
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Undergoes safety inspections before installation.
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Includes ongoing maintenance and customer support services.
Can Someone Get Trapped Under the Lift?
No. All Stiltz Home Lifts are equipped with upper and lower safety sensors.
If the lift detects any obstruction beneath it — such as an object, toy, or pet — it will stop immediately and will not move again until the obstacle is removed.
This ensures that no person or object can ever be trapped or crushed beneath the lift.
Are Home Lifts Safer Than Stairlifts?
For many years, stairlifts have been a common choice for people with limited mobility — but that doesn’t necessarily mean they are the safest option.
According to research from the UK Trauma Audit and Research Network, falls from stairlifts often result in limb injuries and, in more severe cases, head trauma. The study even reported a mortality rate as high as 15.7% from such incidents.
In comparison, a home lift provides a fully enclosed and secure space, completely eliminating the risk of falling down the stairs.
Stiltz Home Lifts also come equipped with:
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Obstruction detection sensors
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Fall arrest mechanism
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Battery backup system
These features ensure that you can move safely and confidently in any situation.
Additionally, a home lift doesn’t require the user to get on or off a seat, making it far more convenient and stable for people with limited mobility, balance difficulties, or wheelchair users.
For more information, check out our full article:
“Stairlift or Home Lift in Kenya? Costs, Benefits & Which to Choose”
Can a Home Lift Suddenly Fall?
No.
Stiltz Home Lifts are equipped with a patented Fall Arrest Mechanism.
Even if the steel cables were to loosen or lose tension unexpectedly, the system would automatically activate the safety mechanism, bringing the lift car to a smooth and controlled stop — preventing any sudden drop.