Ever climbed halfway up an extension ladder and felt it
sliding off to one side beneath your feet? You quickly realize you should have
spent a few more minutes making sure the ladder feet were solidly set before
starting your climb. Climbing a ladder can be safe, even under the
less-than-perfect situations you find around your home. We’ll show some easy
ways to provide solid footing and a stable top to avoid heart-stopping
experiences.
Get The Angle Right
Setting the ladder at
the correct angle is one of the most important steps to a safe ladder setup.
Too steep and it could tip over backward. Too much angle and it could bend or
the bottom could slide out. The photo shows how to get the angle just right. If
an obstacle prevents you from setting the ladder at the correct angle, don’t
take chances —consider using methods like scaffolding
instead.
Set your ladder at the correct angle. Put your
toes against the ladder’s feet. Stand straight up and extend your arms. The
palms of your hands should just reach the ladder’s
rung.
