Doors and carrying

Opening doors

• Push doors using a hip, shoulder or foot.
• Pull the door open by standing close to the door, turning the handle and walking backwards, holding your arm still.
• Revolving doors should be moved by pressing on the outer edge (there is more leverage), or letting someone go first.
• No doorbell? Tap with the umbrella, or something similar, or kick the door. Alternatively call at a payphone or on your mobile to let the person know when you will be arriving.
• Elevator buttons can be pushed with an elbow or knuckle.
• Keys can be covered with a keyholder.
• At home, invest in special handles covering the door knob, and apply a little EasyGlide as a lubricant to stiff locks and knobs.

Carrying

• Avoid shoulder bags.
• Look for backpacks that put weight on the hip (they have a band at waist level).
• Don’t carry unnecessary items in your bag.
• Look for big pockets in parkas, vests or jackets, and buy a pair of cargo pants, and use them to carry keys, wallets, etc.
• Use firm containers like baskets or boxes which can be carried close to your body and rest on your hip or stomach.
• Waist packs are available from outdoor shops.
• Bumbags - these can be very small and neat.
• Use trolleys (eg laundry trolleys). You can take small parcels of wet clothes to the laundry basket stationed outside.

If this information helped you, please make a tax deductible donation. We operate on a shoestring and every bit helps!

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