Scriptonite Daily

The extension ladder is a very common tool in the construction and home improvement industries. It allows a worker to rise up to a certain height, which can be quite convenient when you need to reach an object that is out of your grasp or above your head.

Extension ladders are also quite popular among homeowners. They are used to help decorate homes, clean homes, and complete other handyman jobs on the outside of your house. Even those who live in apartments will find them useful for hanging pictures, cleaning windows, and doing other chores that require reaching tall objects.

Extension ladders can be quite useful and convenient, but only if you use them correctly! The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports over 1,400 ladder-related injuries to occur each year that involve injuries that require medical treatment beyond first aid. More than 300 people die every year due to accidents involving extension ladders! That's one death every eight hours.

This statistic is disturbing because it shows how important it is to take necessary precautions when using an extension ladder. Even if you're only using it inside your own home to hang holiday decorations, it can cause serious injury if you do not know how to use it properly. 

Extension ladders, a safer alternative to stepladders, have become increasingly popular. One reason for this is that they're often lighter and more compact than traditional ladders. This means they're easier to store, transport, and use safely. However, there are still many dangers associated with the very nature of extension ladders.

First, it's important to know what Extension ladders  are and why they're used. Like most ladders, they're used to provide access to high places. They differ from other types of ladders in that they can be extended to reach greater heights than other ladders can. An extension ladder is made up of two parts: a ladder and an extension part that adds height when needed.

Extension ladders are not only used for construction projects; they're also used in households for chores like painting and window cleaning. Many people don't realize how dangerous these everyday chores can be with an extension ladder because of their familiarity with using them. However, it's easy to forget the dangers that come with using an extension ladder if you don't follow proper safety precautions. Since extension ladders can be a little unstable, it's important that you use them properly.

Here are a few steps you can take to ensure your safety:

1. Get some help. It's always better to have someone else around who can help keep the ladder steady or offer assistance if you need it.

2. Make sure the ground is level and the surface is stable before you start working on it. A solid, level surface will help keep the ladder steady as you work on your project.

3. Always use the side rails as well as the feet/shoes to make contact with the ground. This will spread out the weight of the ladder and keep it from moving around too much.

4. Never stand on top of an extension ladder. You should always be on the ground holding your ladder when putting it up or holding onto it from below when using it.

5. If you're going to be working above head height, use a roofer's strap or harness to keep yourself safe from falling off of your ladder.

As any experienced home renovator will tell you, the most important thing to consider when you're choosing a ladder is whether or not it has four side rails. Extension ladders usually have only two rails. They can be a little unstable. If you're using one of these ladders, it would be wise to invest in a set of ladder stabilizers. These small attachments fit into the ladder's fifth rung and give it that extra support it needs to stand up straight and sturdy.

The stabilizers are designed to fit into any standard extension ladder and they require no installation or special tools. Just screw them on and they're good to go—you don't even have to take down the ladder in order to attach them. They ensure that your extension ladder stays safe and steady, making your job much easier. You won't need any extra space for storage, either: the stabilizers fold down flat against the rungs for easy transport and storage until you need them again.

Ladders are meant for climbing, not for walking. To clarify: climbing on a ladder is fine and that is what you bought a ladder for. Walking on a ladder is not fine; it's dangerous and could lead to serious injury or death.

A ladder has two uses: (1) going up the side of a structure to reach its top and (2) propping the bottom end against a wall so that you can stand on it without the wall supporting your weight. Both of these are generally done by standing with one foot on either side of the top rung, making sure that both feet are flat on the rungs at all times.

Most ladders carry a weight recommendation that provides an upper bound for how much weight you should place on them. The number you see will be in pounds, which is how much force it takes to accelerate 1 pound, 1 per foot, second per second. You may also see it written as a unitless number, such as 200 pounds or 68 kilograms. Either way, this indicates how much force can be placed upon the ladder at one time before it risks buckling or collapsing; this is different from how much actual weight the ladder can hold.