A controller for operating an electric drive of a reclining chair or couch has a housing mountable on the chair or couch, a pair of control switches on the housing and connectable to the drive motor to operate same, a locking or cutoff switch on the housing, and a supply cable extending from the housing to an electricity source capable of powering and forming with the electric drive. The control switches, and cutoff switch form a circuit interruptible by the cutoff switch so that in the off position of the cutoff switch the control switches are unable to operate the drive and in the on position of the cutoff switch the control switches can operate the drive. A cover shiftable on the cover between a first position setting the cutoff switch in the on position and a second position can set the cutoff switch in the off position.