| Show Watch That Ladder Accidents involving ladders are among the more common types of home mishaps says the Utah Safety Council EVEN MORE common are accidents resulting from using using using us us- ing makeshift ladders boxes piled atop one another and the like says Darcie H. H White Vice President for Home Safety Utah Safety Council White says it pays to have havea a good ladder and to know how to use it safely He offers offers offers of of- fers the following tips BEFORE YOU climb a ladder ladder ladder lad lad- der make sure your shoes are clean of slippery materials materials materials materi materi- als and that no paint or any other slippery substance has spilled on the rungs Be sure the ladder is resting resting resting rest rest- ing firmly at the top and bot bot- tom The space from the foot of the ladder to the wall shouldn't exceed one fourth the length of the ladder easily measured by counting the rungs IF YOURE YOU'RE using a stepladder stepladder stepladder step- step ladder make sure it is fully opened and locked and never stand on the top step of a stepladder Dont Don't paint your ladder In Instead Instead In In- stead give it a coat of clear varnish K Keep ep it clean so you can spot any defects in iii inthe inthe the wood And if a rung or cross brace is defective replace replace replace re re- re- re place it dont don't try to patch it with wire BEFORE climbing the ladder ladder ladder lad lad- der make sure it is on solid footing One leg slowly sinking sinking sinking sink sink- ing into soft ground can be bea a woeful experience if youre you're perched near the top of the ladder A number of types of safety shoes for attachment attachment attach attach- ment to ladders are available available available avail avail- able for use on slippery or soft surfaces When working on a ladder do not lean too far backwards or too far to either side Watch your balance and al always always always al- al ways keep a firm grip on the ladder with one hand Never loop your leg around the ladder but keep both feet planted solidly on the same rung while working |
