ASHFORD
Volunteer Fire Department
Proudly serving the citizens of Ashford since 1950!
Fire • EMS • Rescue
P.O. Box 1 • Ashford, CT 06278 • (860) 429-9862
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LADDER SAFETY
CLIMB WITH CARE
November 12 to 18 is Ladder Safety Week. A new national survey shows that 4 out of 5 U.S.
households plan to use ladders around their homes to prepare for the holiday season. As
people begin climbing this holiday season, so will their home injury risks if proper ladder safety
practices are not top of mind. To help reduce the risk of falls and other ladder-related injuries, the
Ashford Volunteer Fire Department offers the following tips:
- Inspect your ladder carefully--look for missing or damaged components, and make sure all
working parts move properly. Never use a damaged ladder.
- Read (and heed) the safety instructions and warnings you find on the ladder.
- Make sure rungs are dry and free of dirt or paint before using the ladder.
- Place the ladder on level ground and open it completely, making sure all locks are engaged.
- Do not overreach--keep your body centered on the ladder and gauge your safety by your belt
buckle. If your buckle passes beyond the ladder rail, you are overreaching and at risk for
falling.
- Never imbibe when using the ladder to decorate; steer clear of ladders if you've indulged in
holiday cheer.
- Don't stand above the highest safe standing level. For a stepladder, the safe standing level
is the second rung from the top, and for an extension ladder, it's the fourth rung from the
top.
- Use fiberglass ladders if there is even a remote possibility of working near electricity or
overhead power lines. Fiberglass rails are non-conductive. Never use metal, wet or dirty
wood ladders near electricity!
- Always work in well-lighted areas.
- Hold the ladder with one hand while working with the other. You should always have three
points of contact with the ladder.
- Place the extension ladder top so both rails are fully supported, with at least 12 inches of
support area on each side of the ladder.
- Use the 4-to-1 rule for extension ladders: For each 4 feet of distance between the ground
and the upper point of contact (such as the wall or roof), move the base of the ladder out 1
foot.
- Always be sure that the locks on a conventional extension ladder are fully engaged and in
the locked position and the fly (upper extended portion) is in front of the base before
climbing.
- Always face the ladder when climbing and wear slip-resistant shoes, such as those with
rubber soles, even when using step stools or utility ladders in the home.
Information provided courtesy of the Home Safety Council, www.homesafetycouncil.org.
