Decorating is exciting, but it can also be a bit of a challenge. Doing your research and making a plan before you get started can save you a lot of trouble in the long run, especially when it comes to using a step ladder.
Step ladders might seem simple enough, but it’s surprisingly easy to get hurt if you don’t know what you’re doing. Read through these simple guidelines before you start decorating!
Make sure your step ladder is reliable
If you’re using an old stepladder, you need to make sure it’s still in good condition. Check that the stiles and rungs are not bent, worn, or otherwise damaged. Also, make sure that any locking mechanisms still work correctly and that the feet stay where you put them without slipping.
If there is any damage, you will need to buy a new step ladder from a reputable supplier.
Consider how you’ll be decorating
Even if you’ve got a sturdy ladder that’s in perfect condition, it might not be the right step ladder for the task. To be certain that your ladder is a good fit, you will need to think carefully about the task ahead of you.
For example, how high will you need to reach? Is your step ladder tall enough for you to reach the required height comfortably? You mustn’t be stretching too far as this could unbalance the ladder. You might need a taller step ladder for a task like painting the ceiling than for something else like dusting a bookcase.
You’ll also want to avoid leaning too far to the left or right, as this may cause your steps topple over. Don’t hesitate to move the step ladder if you feel like you are leaning too much to one side. It can be tempting to just stay up there and try to get as much done as possible without pausing to shift the ladder, but this can result in a nasty fall.
It’s also important to note that step ladders are intended for short-term use only. If you’ll only be decorating for 30 minutes, then you should be okay, but some decorating tasks take longer. If this is the case, you may need to plan frequent breaks or otherwise use a different height access solution (like a scaffold tower).
Finally, you should make sure that your step ladder is made of a material that’s suitable for the work you’re planning to do. If you are doing any kind of electrical work as part of your decorating project, you should not use a metal ladder; instead, buy a step ladder that’s made of a non-conductive material like fibreglass.
Prevent your step ladder from slipping
By now, you’re probably excited to get started! But first, you have to make sure that your step ladder will stay put while you’re on it. Step ladders may seem more stable than other kinds of ladders but they can still slip and fall. If you’re high up on a step ladder when this happens, you could get badly hurt.
Your step ladder’s feet will need to be firmly on the ground. If you have any rugs in the area, move these out of the way. (You should do this when decorating anyway—you wouldn’t want to get paint on your lovely rug!) Then, make sure there’s no other clutter that the ladder might slip on.
If you’ve moved everything out of the way and the ladder is still slipping on your floor, you will need to take steps to stabilise it. This isn’t very difficult, so you might want to take these additional steps even if your ladder is already staying put. You can seriously injure yourself if your ladder moves unexpectedly, so it’s better to be safe than sorry.
It’s easier to stabilise a step ladder than you might think, as there are items specifically made for this! You’ll want to get a ladder mat or a different ladder stability device that is designed to hold your ladder in place. Ladder mats are one of the simpler options as they essentially just go beneath the ladder to prevent slipping. Make sure you follow any relevant instructions for whatever product you go with.
Get decorating!
Safety might not be as exciting as picking out paint colours and lampshades, but it’s one of the most important parts of decorating. Now that you’ve checked through the above safety rules for step ladders, you can get started on the exciting part, with the peace of mind that you know how to use a step ladder safely.
Enjoy your decorating!
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