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'Tis the season for taking extra precautions
 When you think of hazards associated with this time of year, ice and snow probably first come to mind. Then there’s the sales driven maniacs who speed through traffic lights, fight for prime parking, and will do anything to gain the advantage in a check-out line. While you must always be in defense of the hustle and bustle, we wish to emphasize one particular danger that is often overlooked in the spirit of the season – ladder safety.
Thanks to Hollywood, there are many holiday movies that make light of this topic. You know the scenario – a rickety ladder, tangled lights, somebody says a good one liner, falls, surfaces unharmed, and we all have a good laugh. The reality of ladder accidents is more sobering. In a recent article that appeared in a local newspaper, a man died from falling off of his roof while decorating his house with Christmas lights. The Township police said that they average one death per year from residents’ setting up holiday decorations. That’s just one death too many.
Ladders are such a common household item that we sometimes forget to consider their limitations. Whether you use a step or an extension ladder, it needs to be stabilized with the legs flat on the ground or floor. You need to be in control of this piece of equipment at all times and exercise good judgment.
So here are some very basic guidelines to follow to keep yourself safe:
Make sure your ladder is in good shape. Are the rungs clean and dry? If you have a wooden ladder, is the material cracked or warped? If so, then maybe you need to replace it with a new one.
Your ladder should be stable & locked in place. Step ladders open up like an “A” and the brace in the middle must be locked to stabilize the legs. Extension ladders can reach heights of 12-40 feet by pulling on a rope but the extended portion must be securely locked in place once the appropriate height is achieved.
Practice the 4 to 1 Rule. For every four feet up, make sure the base of the ladder is one foot from the wall. If you are placing a ladder that is 20’ high, that means you should place the base about 5 feet from the wall to create a safe incline.
Don’t place the ladder on false surfaces. That means the ladder should be set firmly on even ground. Do not place it on top of boxes, counter tops, tables, or any kind of unstable base to increase the height.
Remember the 3 Points of Contact. As you are climbing or descending a ladder, take your time and practice the 3 points of contact: two hands, one foot, then one hand, two feet.
Always face the ladder. Whenever you are climbing or descending a ladder, always face the ladder. Never try to walk down it backwards.
Never stand on the top step. The higher you climb on a ladder, the less stable is becomes. Never ever stand on the top rung or step of a ladder.
Watch your reaching limits. Reaching too high or reaching too far will create instability. Keep your body in the middle of the ladder. Don’t tempt fate and try to reach too far. Even if you need to only move a few more inches to the right, get down from the ladder and move it to where you need it.
Keep your hands free to maintain a good grip. Wear a tool belt if you need to bring tools to the top or carry the string of lights around your arm.
If you drop something – LET IT GO. Do not try to catch it. It is much better that it falls, than you.
HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
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