Whether you’re putting the star at the top of the tree, dangling mistletoe over the doorways, or hanging up lights inside and out, there’s a good chance you’ll need a ladder to get the job done. To help you use it safely, we’ve put together a list of Christmas ladder safety tips.
Keep Your Worksite Safe
You may be pretending your home is a workshop at the North Pole, but that doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be safe. Whether you’re standing on a step stool to decorate the tree or using a leaning ladder to hang outdoor lights, make sure the surrounding area is safe. This means keeping it free from hazards that could hurt you if you fall from the ladder.
If you’re working outdoors this December, ensure your worksite has solid, unfrozen ground on which to rest the ladder’s feet. Make sure the ground is also not boggy after rain. Setting your ladder on ice or on soft mud is a surefire route to injury or worse.
READ MORE: Ladder Safety in Winter
Inspect Your Ladder
Before you use it, inspect your ladder – and, just like Santa’s list, you really should check it twice.
Make sure there are no visual defects or signs of damage. If you spot any, it’s best to replace the ladder rather than repair it.
Use It Well
Your worksite and ladder could both be in perfect condition for use, but if you aren’t careful in using the ladder, you could still suffer an injury.
If you’re putting up lights outside, you should use a leaning ladder and set it up according to the 1-in-4 rule. Avoid leaning it against the gutters – use a ladder stay if necessary.
Stick to the belt buckle rule and face the rungs while climbing and working. This will ensure you don’t have to twist round, potentially falling off. Using leaning ladders will help with this: they can be placed such that you can face your task straight-on, whereas a stepladder would force you to twist in place.
If you find that you’re having to stretch to get your work done, that’s when you should move the ladder. It’s far better to move the ladder to a new spot than to overreach and unbalance yourself, which could easily lead to a fall.
It’s also wise not to use a ladder alone. While you shouldn’t have anyone “foot” the ladder by stabilising it from below, having an extra person around means they can help in an emergency. This is as true for using an extension ladder to put up outdoor lights as it is for getting the Christmas tree and decorations out of the loft with a loft ladder.
If you have any queries about our products and how to use them safely, don’t hesitate to get in touch. We’ll be happy to help you out!
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