Though no precise statistics can be found, accidents involving ladders price excessive. A very good ladder is likely one of the most helpful accessories for the handyman, nevertheless it should be used correctly. Safety is vital whether or not you’re a housewife utilizing a small step ladder within the kitchen or you’re a home handyman utilizing a 30′ extension ladder outdoors the house to paint the trim.

Whether or not utilizing a ladder indoors or outside, you possibly can keep away from accidents by observing just a few easy guidelines.

1. Whereas aluminum or magnesium ladders are simpler to deal with than wooden ones, do not forget that metallic is a conductor of electrical energy. You will need to hold a metallic ladder from coming into contact with electric power strains.

2. Do not paint the ladder; the colour will hold you from noticing such defects as cracks or splits.

3. The most secure angle for a ladder is to position the toes of the ladder a few quarter of its size away from the wall. For instance, a 15- foot ladder must be set away (on its toes) about 4 toes from the wall.

4. Make sure that the ladder is on agency floor and will not slip. In the event you use a metallic ladder and relaxation it on concrete stroll or driveway, use rubber-bottom safety toes with the ladder. In the event you use a wooden ladder, it ought to have rubber “toes” completely hooked up to the underside of it.

5. Guarantee that the highest of the ladder, towards the wall, can be braced correctly and never on a floor the place it can slide. Do not put the highest of a ladder in order that it rests towards a screen or window pane.

6. A ladder on a roof should be totally secured, and for this goal you possibly can get hold of roof hooks to connect to the ladder at any ironmongery store.

7. Do not set your ladder up in order that it’s straight in entrance of a door. If that place is critical, lock the door and put a warning signal on it. It’s a higher idea to have somebody stands by to make sure that the door shouldn’t be inadvertently opened.

8. By no means climb an extension ladder or any lengthy ladder on a really windy day. In the event you should use the ladder then, have somebody maintain the bottom of the ladder as you climb up, keep up there and work and once you climb down once more afterwards 4 step ladder.

9. A simple technique to carry a ladder is to paint a strip on the heart of it, then seize the ladder and you will have a good stability.

10. When climbing a ladder, face the ladder, going up and coming down, and take one step at a time.

11. In the event you’re working excessive up, do not go any greater than the third rung from the highest of the ladder and all the time put on skid-proof soled shoes. In the event you’re utilizing a step ladder, don’t stand on the highest step; the best you must go is the second step from the highest on a tall stepladder, over 3 toes, or subsequent to the highest on shorter ladders.

12. A chore which wants each palms, equivalent to hanging storm sash or screens, should be found out beforehand, in order that you do not teeter on the ladder along with your palms holding heavy or swaying objects. Have somebody cross them as much as you, or maybe you possibly can pull them up with a rope.

13. In the event you want each palms for a fast job, seize maintain of a rung of the ladder along with your leg, or maybe cross your elbow by a handy rung.

14. Do not attempt to attain over too far, when on a ladder. It is best to get off and to maneuver the ladder the few inches. Do not maintain a paint can once you’re on the ladder; present a hook on which to hold the can.

15. In the event you personal an extension ladder, and wish to elevate or decrease it, brace the bottom of the ladder (on the bottom) towards your foot, and holding on to the ladder, carry it away from the house with one hand till it’s nearly vertical. Holding it with one hand, use the opposite hand to pull the rope which extends the ladder.

16. Moreover, verify the rope in your extension ladder periodically to see that there are not any weak spots.