With the onset of warmer weather and the impending arrival of spring cleaning, household chores like gutter cleaning come to the forefront. However, prior to grabbing the ladder, taking a moment to review ladder safety protocols could help prevent accidents and ensure a secure home maintenance season.

March not only brings a change in weather but also marks the commencement of Ladder Safety Month, an initiative led by the American Ladder Institute (ALI). Dedicated solely to enhancing ladder safety in residential and professional settings, Ladder Safety Month seeks to mitigate the numerous injuries and fatalities caused by improper ladder usage each year.

ALI emphasizes the importance of proper ladder use, directing the public to www.laddersafetymonth.com for additional information. Offering free comprehensive training tools for businesses, trade schools and individuals, ALI underscores the critical need for education and awareness in mitigating ladder-related accidents.

In light of the approaching safety campaign, experts emphasize the significance of adhering to best practices when utilizing ladders. Michael Van Bree, Director of Product Safety and Engineering at Louisville Ladder, stresses fundamental precautions, urging individuals to maintain a firm grip on the ladder and ensure hands remain free from distractions.

Chad Lingerfelt, National Safety Training Manager for WernerCo, highlighted the importance of positioning while climbing, advising individuals to keep their belt buckle inside the ladder rails to maintain balance. Additionally, he cautions against stepping on the last two rungs of a step ladder, a common yet hazardous practice.

David Francis, National Safety Director for Little Giant Ladder Systems, LLC, echoes these sentiments, emphasizing the need to keep the belt buckle within the ladder's side rails to prevent overreaching. Stacey Gardella, Vice President of Brand Marketing for WernerCo, emphasizes the necessity of maintaining three points of contact while climbing, especially for DIY enthusiasts unfamiliar with ladder safety protocols.

Lastly, Lingerfelt emphasizes the significance of descending safely, highlighting the common yet injurious occurrence of missing the last step. Urging individuals to remain vigilant and avoid rushing, he highlightss the importance of meticulous attention to detail during every ascent and descent from a ladder.