You may have seen tennis balls on a walker in many cartoons or even in everyday life. If you witness someone walking with the help of a walker, there is a 70% chance that the tennis ball has been hooked to the walker they are using. So why do people put tennis balls on their walkers? This tutorial will show you how to put tennis balls on a walker in simple steps, making the job a whole lot easier.
Why are Tennis Balls used on Walkers?
Tennis balls are used for walkers because they are soft and easy to grip, making them safe for seniors and others who may have difficulty using their hands. In addition, tennis balls do not roll on the walker like normal objects. Tennis balls are used on walkers to make them easier to push, more stable, and quieter when moving on the floor.
Using a tennis ball on a walker not only prolongs the life of the walker by preventing the concrete from creeping down on your feet, but it also helps reduce noise. The teachers used tennis balls on the legs of classroom chairs to reduce noise from the vinyl tiled chairs. When used on a walker, how long tennis balls will last depends on how often they are used outside of the concrete.
The pre-installed rubber tips on walkers are often quite rough and slippery. They will wear out over time and will eventually be replaced by walkers with metal legs that make a lot of noise and scratch the floor. Pushing the walker with rubber pads on the back legs is difficult and causes the walker to collapse as you move. This is why many people put the tennis ball on the back of their walkers. They help prevent pushups, prevent floor scratches and make walking smoother.
How to put tennis balls on a walker?
Materials
All you need to prepare is a utility knife to cut the tennis ball along with the gloves. The cutter is available in 9mm and 18mm blade sizes. Smaller blades are better for cutting a tennis ball because you don’t need to make such a large cut to get the blade completely inside the ball. Then, the steps will be carried out as follows:
Step 1: Holding a tennis ball
First, hold the ball firmly with your non-dominant hand. Position your hand tactfully so that you don’t cut your fingers if the knife slips. It is best to draw an X or simply mark the spot on the tennis ball to see where the cut will be cleared. For a standard walker’s foot about 1 inch in diameter, an X should be cut on a tennis ball about 1.5 inches long. You may need a longer incision if the rubber feet are still on the walker.
Step 2: Take the Knife
Use a utility knife and extend the blade half an inch to avoid breaking the blade. Correct handling of the knife is extremely important for a safe cutting process. Hold the knife with your dominant hand and extend your index finger over the tip of the knife so that it is facing the ball. This will allow you to hold the knife firmly without twisting it in your hand.
Step 3: Cut tennis balls
Push the tip of the knife into the surface of the tennis ball. You don’t have to use a lot of force to try to push the knife into the ball in one stroke. Pierce the ball from the beginning of the X line and cut it all the way to the end. There should be cuts on both sides of the original cut. Cut them one by one instead of trying to do it all at once for a safety.
You should feel the tennis ball dip slightly with each downward motion. As the knife goes through the ball, you will hear the air coming out of the balloon. Then extend the blade of the utility knife. This way it is possible to create a longer stroke for faster cutting. Remember that the cutting trajectory should not be directed towards your fingers. The second ball fits the same description.
Step 4: Put the ball in the walker frame
The final step is to fit the tennis ball into the walker. Squeeze the tennis ball with your dominant hand to open the hole. With the other hand holding the leg, push and twist the tennis ball onto the walker. If the hole is too small, you can cut it a little wider. You should also pull the flaps up to increase stability. Remember that you should start with a smaller hole because you can make it bigger but not vice versa. Now you have learned how to put tennis balls on a walker, right?
Alternatives tennis ball for Walker
Since the tennis ball is placed on the walker for various reasons such as noise protection, floor protection, and ease of movement, there must be an actual product for it rather than a tennis ball. So there should be alternatives to putting on a walker other than tennis balls.
Balls RMS Walker for Glide
Each tennis ball in this set has been prepared for you with a straight slit, making it one of the most popular sets on Amazon. This is a great alternative if you’re worried about getting the wrong cut. Installing it to the walker is quite easy as just squeezing the ball and then inserting it.
Walker Startop Ball
If you don’t need anything fancy and are just looking for a traditional tennis ball that’s pre-cut and simple to install, the Walker Starstop Ball can do it. Each tennis ball has a “Y” cut engraved on the top of it, making installation as easy as possible.
Walker Ski Covers
This is a pretty awesome pedestrian cover that makes moving around the house easier. They’re like little socks you can put a skateboard on, so it smooths things over and gives the hiker a cute look.
American Flag Walkerballs by Penco
If you are looking for a way to show your love for your country, you have discovered the ideal walker ball as Penco is the market leader in walker balls. These are ideal for veterans or any other American patriot as they feature an American flag design.
Walker Coasters
Another popular alternative to tennis balls is walker coasters. They are also made with the intention of making movement easier. This coaster makes it easier to move around and doesn’t get caught in the doorways or sills when passing. Therefore, walker coasters are the most elegant and beautiful way to replace tennis balls.
Put tennis balls on a walker- Is it safe?
People often ask, is it safe to put a tennis ball in a walker? In general, tennis balls on a walker are safe if done correctly. Tennis balls can add stability to the user and make pushing the ball easier. The tennis ball has a larger surface area, and the felt on the tennis ball helps keep everything in place, no matter what the situation may be.
However, this also depends a lot on the quality and surface of the walker. When using it outdoors, you should not use a treadmill with a tennis ball attached. Because the felt material of the ball is easy to get dirty and attracts germs, which is dangerous to the health of the user and the people around. In addition, tennis balls are also very easy to wear out after a period of time. used should be constantly renewed. Although tennis balls are quite elastic, the possibility of tearing is also very high.
Improper installation can also be dangerous to the user, so extreme care must be taken. In recent years, there have been some people who have actually opposed the use of tennis balls on walkers because there are now substitutes that offer more gliding. When two tennis balls are firmly attached to the bottom of the walker, initial stability can be improved, but it can become uneven if one tennis ball wears out before the other.
Conclusion
This article has detailed how to put tennis balls on a walker in simple steps, its alternatives, and its benefits. Putting a tennis ball in a walker can be a daunting task, but with this easy-to-follow guide, the process will be a breeze! Hope you will make it successful the first time with our guide. Please let us know in the comments section below if you have any other queries. See you in the next posts.
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