06 Dec 5 Ladder Safety Tips for the Holiday Season
The holiday season is a time of joy. There’s nothing more festive than passing by a beautiful house lit by Christmas lights and decorations.
Christmas lights, string lights, and other outdoor lighting can beautify your home, increase your use of outdoor spaces, and bring cheer.
However, most Christmas lights are hung by climbing a ladder and according to the Department of Labor and Industry, “more than 90,000 people receive emergency room treatment from ladder-related injuries every year.”
If you choose to do your own decorating this holiday season, follow these tips.
5 Ladder Safety Tips
1. Check your local weather report.
It’s important to pay attention to your local weather forecast. Standing on a ladder in high winds could cause you to lose your balance. In addition, light drizzle can cause your ladder to become slippery. Make sure you pick a dry day with calm winds.
2. Properly inspect your ladder for damage before using it.
Before using your ladder, make sure it’s in good working order. Loose screws, hinges, or rungs, and make sure that there are no broken or bent parts on the ladder. are signs of damage. Even if the damage seems minor, do not use the ladder, and do not attempt a do-it-yourself repair.
3. Choose the right ladder for the task.
Different jobs require different-sized ladders. Step stools or lower-reaching utility ladders are good for indoor jobs. Extension ladders should generally only be used outside. Your ladder needs to be tall enough for you to easily reach the area you want to work on. If your are still straining to reach the area even while you are on the ladder, it is too short. Your ladder also needs to be able to hold your “working load”—your weight, plus the weight of any decorations and/or tools that you’ll be taking up the ladder with you.
4. Set up your ladder correctly.
Lean the ladder against a wall at a ratio of 4:1 to stop it from falling over. This means that the base of the ladder should be one foot away from the wall for every four feet that the ladder rises. Place the ladder on a level ground surface. Do not set up your ladder on ground that is soft, muddy, or uneven.
5. Be cautious of your environment.
Before making your next move, think about what you want to do and move slowly. If you’re working by a door that can open toward the ladder, let your family know you’re working there. While stretching is good for you before using the ladder, stretching or reaching while on a ladder can lead to injury. Dirty or muddy shoes could cause you to slip.
It is also important to always have someone either spotting you and holding the base for you right there or within earshot to call for help if you fall.
Ladder safety depends on your understanding of safe practices and respect for potential hazards.
Have fun decorating your home by following these 5 ladder safety tips!
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