Injuries in the home are among the most common ones in the UK. Due to the amount of time you spend at home, you’re probably more likely to get hurt there than in any other place. That’s why it’s important to pay extra attention to your safety whenever you’re carrying out any task that may involve risk – in this case, we’ll take a closer look at ladders, especially loft ladders.

There are a huge number of accidents related to using ladders every single year which clearly shows that there are at least a few things we tend to overlook. To make sure you stay safe when accessing your loft, we’ve put together this short list of safety tips.

• Make sure your ladder is installed correctly. Your safety depends mainly on two things – the quality of your ladder and its installation. But even the best model won’t be able to stop you from falling down when the ladder itself is unstable – it is always best to use a competent installer to make sure your ladder is safe.
• Use the ladder properly. Another common cause of accidental falls is carelessness. You may easily lose your footing if you’re not paying attention – it is very important to adhere to the principle of keeping three points of contact while climbing ladders.
• Always inspect your ladder before climbing it. Since this ladder is not being used frequently, there’s a chance some of the potential damages or other issues may escape your attention – always check the ladders condition before use.
• Check your surroundings before lowering the ladder. Lowering a loft ladder requires space – make sure that there are no pieces of furniture or other hazards in the way.
• Take your time. Mistakes happen easily when you’re in a hurry, one wrong step can lead to serious injuries, so it’s better not to take unnecessary risks.
• Ask for assistance whenever necessary. If you’re using your loft for storage, there’s a big chance that you mainly visit it whenever you need to either place something there or bring something down, e.g., Christmas decorations. But going up and down a ladder carrying heavy boxes can be tricky, so it’s best to have another person with you to help.

PEOPLE ALSO ASK:

Are loft ladders safe?

Sturdy ladders from reliable manufacturers are perfectly safe to use – but keep in mind that their safety can be guaranteed only by proper installation. That’s why, if you’re not 100% certain of your skills, it may be better to leave this job to a specialist.

How much weight can a loft ladder hold?

Most loft ladders will support a weight of up to 150kg but some more heavy-duty ladders will carry up to 200kg. Please, always check the specifications of the model you’re interested in before purchasing.

To find out more please call us on 0800 0359880