FORT GEORGE G. MEADE, Md. - Fall is the time for yard cleanups and readying homes for the winter ahead.
Use extra caution when climbing ladders for jobs such as cleaning gutters or hanging holiday decorations. Shoes or boots may be wet, causing you to slip as you climb the ladder.
Each year there are more than 160,000 emergency room-treated injuries in the U.S. relating to ladders.
Below are rules for the safe use of ladders:
* Rule 1: Select the right ladder for the job. Make certain the ladder is strong enough for its intended use. Ladders are rated by how much weight they can safely bear, and you should consider the highest available rating of 1A or 300 pounds.
Choose a ladder that's tall enough for you to work comfortably. Avoid metal ladders when there's a chance of contact with a source of electric current. Metal is a conductor of electricity.
When it comes to safety, the best material for a ladder is fiber glass. Although wood is cheaper and deteriorates when used outdoors, and aluminum is easier to handle, many industrial plants will not allow you to use aluminum ladders.
Most industries insist upon the use of fiber glass ladders only. Even ladders made of wood or fiber glass should not be used in the vicinity of power lines or other electrical hazards.
* Rule 2: Inspect the ladder before you use it. Look for loose or damaged rungs, steps, rails or braces. Repair or replace loose or missing screws, hinges, bolts, nuts or other hardware. Make certain safety arms can be locked in place. Be sure straight ladders have safety feet. Never use a defective ladder.
* Rule 3: Set up your ladder with care. If you must set up a ladder in a traffic area, use a barricade or guard to prevent unexpected collisions. Lock or block any nearby door that opens toward you.
Keep the area around the ladder base uncluttered. Position your ladder base on a solid, level surface. When you use a stepladder, make sure it's fully open and its spreader is locked.
Position a straight ladder at a 4-to-1 ratio: the base of your ladder should be 1 foot away from the wall or other vertical surface for every 4 feet of the ladder's length to the support point. Many ladders will have a diagram pasted to their sides that can assist in proper positioning.
When you use a ladder to climb onto a roof or platform, allow your ladder to extend at least 3 feet beyond the roof edge or other support point. To avoid shifting, tie down straight ladders as close to the support point as possible. Never use a ladder against an unstable surface.
* Rule 4: Climb ladders cautiously. Face the ladder and hold on with both hands.
If you need tools, carry them in a tool belt or raise and lower them with a hand line. Maintain three points of contact at all times: two feet and a hand or two hands and a foot. Don't take a chance on slipping. Check ladder rungs and the bottoms of your shoes for slippery substances.
* Rule 5: Use common sense. Never reach or lean too far to either side. Never lean off the ladder to reach more than 1.5 feet to your left or right.
To maintain your balance, keep your belt buckle between the ladder rails. Don't climb higher than the second tread from the top on a stepladder or the third rung from the top on a straight ladder.
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