Treat your ladder with the respect it deserves
The best part about fall and winter is that you get to use your ladder. A lot. You’ll need it to clean your gutters, and you’ll need it to hang (and take down) all the various holiday lights, starting with Halloween. It’s a wonderful time for a man and his ladder (or a woman), as long as you practice proper ladder safety, you should make it through the holidays injury free.
Photo By Ted Johnson from Livermore, CA.
You would be amazed at how many ladder-related injuries come stumbling into the ER on a regular basis. According to a 2007 study, over 130,000 people visited the emergency room each year between 1990-2005 due to ladder-related injuries. And roughly 20% of work-related injuries involve a ladder, so even professionals are at risk. Apparently, many take the ladder for granted and forget that it is a tool that should be treated with caution and respect.
Basic Ladder Safety Instructions
by The American Ladder Institute
Before we go on: No, we did not make that up. Yes, there really is such as thing as the American Ladder Institute!
And now, basic ladder safety tips:
- If you don’t like ladders, are afraid of ladders, get nervous around ladders: Don’t use a ladder!
- Don’t use a ladder in the middle of a storm or in heavy winds
- Wear proper shoes with a gripping sole
- No slippery leather soles, no flip-flops, and no bare feet
- Make sure the ladder is in good working conditions
- If it wobbles on level ground, don’t use it
- Always place your ladder on level ground
- One person on the ladder at a time
- Avoid sudden movements or weight shifts
- Keep your hands free when you climb up the ladder
- Keep three points of contact at all times
- Two hands, one foot. Two feet, one hand
Don’t start off the holiday season with a broken arm. Practice good ladder etiquette and have a safe and happy ladder season!
