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Tips & tricks for hanging lights, joes lights

The time of year when more people use ladders than at any other time is doubtless at Christmas. Hanging lights and trimming large outdoor trees requires a ladder as do top-of-the-roof displays. Often, folks do not use ladders at any other time of the year so their experience with them is limited. This can, and too often does lead to unsafe situations and accidents.

Ladder safety is not complicated or difficult. There are just a few things to know and remember. Each of them is important. Any of them can mean the difference between a fabulous holiday season and bedside hospital visits from the family.

Here are some tips to enhance your ladder safety savvy and make your holiday season a happy and healthy one.

#1 Make sure that your ladder is properly rated for the intended task. If you weigh 215 pounds and you'll be dressed and carrying tools and materials up the ladder, you'll need one that is properly rated for the actual weight it will be required to hold. Also, make sure the ladder is actually tall enough for the job. NEVER stand on top of the ladder when it's erected, or on the last step, which is customarily marked to remind you. A ladder which is too short is an invitation to an accident. In ladders: too tall is always better than too short.

#2 Make sure that your ladder is in good repair. Older wooden ladders get wobbly over time, and should most often just be replaced by the newer aluminum and/or fiberglass models. The newer ladders are lighter, stronger and safer and they last indefinitely. Check all the rivets and rungs and ensure everything is tight and corrosion free.

#3 Make sure the rungs or steps are tight and free of any debris or slippery substances before climbing.

#4 Proper placement of your ladder is critical. It should be on a flat and level surface. If it has hinged rubber feet, ensure that they are open and properly in contact with the ground.

#5 Do not place your ladder on gravel, sand or other loose materials including loose soils. The ladder may feel stable at first, but when you're up on top working on something, a foot might shift slightly, startle you and cause you to lose your balance.

#6 Make sure your ladder is properly opened or extended. If you have a folding model, the braces, also called spreaders, should be fully open and locked. If you are using an extension ladder, double check the hook locks. Also, when using an extension ladder, be sure to get the rope safely away from the rungs once you've raised the ladder to the desired height. Never overextend an extension ladder.

#7 Use both hands while ascending or descending the ladder. And always face the ladder while going up or down.

#8 Do not attempt to use a folding ladder while it is leaning against something. It is engineered to be used safely when opened up, not when it is leaning.

#9 Beware of electrical wires with your metal ladder! This is especially important while hanging your Christmas lights. Don't lean your ladder on or against any wires as it may cut the outer wire coating and cause electrocution.

#10 The higher you are on the ladder, the more caution you need to use. This is not just because a fall to the ground would be further and likely more injurious. It's because your center of gravity is higher, and reaching out too far especially with any weight in your hand can cause the ladder to tip over.

Practice good ladder safety and enjoy a happy holiday. After all, being at home to hear all the praise for your holiday lighting display is much better than reading a complimentary footnote on a get well card.

www.joeslights.com