KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — The American Ladder Institute said tens of thousands of people are injured and hundreds die because of improper ladder usage every year.
As the weather gets warmer and you look to do maintenance or renovations on your home, it's important to keep ladder safety top of mind.
Experts say since ladders are such a common tool, people expect that they immediately know what they're doing and how to use a ladder without any proper research.
American Ladder Insitute Vice President Mike Van Bree said the first thing to do before you climb up, is to make sure you have the right ladder for the job.
"You want to consider what style of ladder you need. Is it a leaning ladder, an extension ladder, or maybe a single ladder? Consider also the style material of the construction. If you're doing anything electrically related, you want to be sure you're using a non-conductive ladder," Van Bree said.
Bree noted that you'll also want to make sure to use a ladder that's suitable for your size.
Once you find a ladder that's right for the job, inspect it and make sure everything is in working order.
When you're ready to use the ladder, make sure you have proper balance. You want to, as much as possible, have something to grab onto. Even while you're working, you want to brace your body or even rest on the ladder for support.
"You have to maintain good work practices by not pushing, pulling, overreaching and causing instability of the ladder," Van Bree said.
If you can, you should have another person holding the ladder for you. This helps ensure stability and security.
Van Bree said The American Ladder Insitute works hard to make safe ladders. But at the end of the day, it's the user who makes ladders safe.
