You have heard many people say that ladders are dangerous and unsafe. The truth of the matter is that indalex ladders are completely safe when used properly. We use the stairs every day, when cleaning windows and cleaning houses and it has never hurt. A ladder is as dangerous as the user. Here you will find several safety tips to make sure you are completely safe when using the stairs. These tips are for extension ladders but can be useful for step ladders as well.
Proper equipment for ladders
You want to make sure you are properly looked after before you touch the stairs. So, let’s take a look. Are you wearing the right type of shoes? I hope it is not a safe practice to climb stairs in flip flops. Before you begin, wear appropriate footwear, for example, sneakers or work boots, and make sure they are properly fitted. The last thing you want to do is jump on the shoelaces while climbing or descending the stairs. Now that your footwear is taken care of, let’s examine everything else. Make sure there is nothing on your body that could interfere with your legs or arms.
Next, if you’re handy with tools, make sure you have a proper tool belt. It must fit properly so that it will not slip or fall while working. Do not hold tools in your hands while climbing stairs. You want to make sure your hands are free so that your grip is proper.
Things to do
Now, the stairs. The first thing you should do is buy ladder mitts. Ladder mitts are soft rubber mittens that fit over the top of a ladder. They do two things: 1. Protect the ladder from scratching the siding of the house or whatever the ladder is leaning against. 2. They hold the surface against which they are leaning and prevent the top of the ladder from slipping while climbing or working. If you want, you can also buy a ladder stabilizer. This piece of equipment should be attached to a ladder and span two feet. It adds extra stability to the top of the stairs. We don’t use it but some do.
You can also add adjustable leg extensions to the indalex platform ladders. These attach to the foot of the ladder and extend for about a foot. The great thing about this type of equipment is that you can adjust one leg longer, which is great for working on uneven ground or stairs. If you decide to add these, make sure you buy a good pair of extensions. If you are using a heavy ladder, you will need a more heavy-duty extension. Also, this is not something that should be added to a large ladder like a 40-foot extension because the ladder itself is so heavy that the extension can’t handle the weight.
Final thoughts
Okay, so we’ve got you and the stairs taken care of. The next thing to look at is where you are placing the ladder. First, get where you need to be. The two easiest ways to carry a ladder are parallel to the ground or in an upright position. You can put the ladder on your shoulder and stand where needed. For people like us, who take the ladder from window to window, it is easiest to take the ladder straight up. Make sure the ladder is not extended and hold the bottom rung with one hand and use the other to stabilize it. If you are going straight up the ladder, or when you are lifting the ladder, make sure you are away from any power lines. The last thing you want is to be electrocuted.
