Whether it's cleaning your gutters or hanging holiday decorations, you might have to climb a ladder to get the job done this fall. But be careful: Nearly 200,000 emergency-room visits and 300 deaths are linked to ladder accidents every year, and most people who fell didn't have anybody holding the ladder below them.
The typical accident victim is a 55-year-old man who falls nearly 10 feet, according to a study of more than 27,000 trauma patients published this month in the Journal of Surgical Research. Reaching too far and placing the ladder in the wrong spot are the most common causes of those accidents.
So before you use a stepladder, multiuse ladder, or an extension ladder, follow these safety tips. And make sure you buy a ladder with a maximum weight rating of 300 pounds (Type 1A). Since you can't always predict who will be using it, the added safety margin is worth any extra cost and weight, Consumer Reports safety experts say.
Find out which fall home repairs you can't afford to ignore.
—Sue Byrne
• Make sure both straight and adjustable ladders have slip-resistant feet.
• Keep hinges and bolts tightened, but don't over tighten them.
• On an extension ladder, inspect hinges or locks for wear, and check the lanyard for fraying. If you need to replace the lanyard, follow the manufacturer's instructions.
• Check aluminum ladders for loose rivets, dents, or bent parts. Check fiberglass ladders for cracks, chips, and missing parts. With wood, look for splits, cracks, chips, and loose rungs or steps. Any such problems indicate imminent failure and mandate replacing the ladder.
• Wipe off water, oil, and other slippery substances from steps before you start climbing.
• Store your ladder in a sheltered area away from moisture and heat, and keep a fiberglass ladder out of direct sunlight.
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