Ranoli's Blog November 23, 2009 Holiday Ladder Safety The holiday festivities are here. The annual hanging of lights and decorations from eves, gutters, walls, banisters and any other surface we can reach on our home begins. For some, this is the only time of year the dusty ladder is pulled out of hiding. Little thought is given to how this tool is purchased or used safely. Ladders are labeled with duty ratings. Type I, the industrial ladder, holds 250 pounds. Type II holds up to 225 pounds. Type III, the household ladder, holds up to 200 pounds. Remember to include the weight of the tools or materials you plan to use. If you work around electrical wires, don't choose a metal ladder. A number of accidents occur each year because power lines and equipment wires contact metal ladders. Use a dry wooden or nonconductive fiberglass ladder for this kind of work. Using a Ladder Make sure the ladder is suited for the type of job you plan to do (see the types above). Before using a ladder, especially a ladder that has been stored in the garage for a while, inspect it for cracks or broken joints. Place your ladder on a stable, even, flat surface. Never place a ladder on top of another object. Use the 1:4 ratio to ensure a stable working platform. Place the base of the ladder 1 foot away of whatever it leans against for every 4 feet of height to the point where the ladder contacts at the top (see graphic). When using an A-frame stepladder, make sure the brace is locked in place. If climbing onto another surface (like a roof,) make sure the ladder extends at least three feet past the platform you're climbing onto. Secure tall ladders by lashing or fastening the ladder to prevent movement. Always face the ladder when climbing or descending. Keep both feet on the ladder - never put one foot on a rung and the other foot on a different surface. Do not climb higher than the second rung on stepladders or the third rung on straight or extension ladders. Never stand on the top or the paint shelf of a stepladder. Keep your belt buckle (if you have one) positioned between the rungs so it doesn't catch. Never leave ladders unattended - kids love them. Never over reach, climb down and move the ladder. Do not place a ladder on an icy surface. When working with electricity, use a ladder made of wood or fiberglass. Maintaining Ladders Inspect ladders regularly. Stepladders and extension ladders should be inspected for broken or frozen joints or latches. Aluminum ladders should be inspected for cracks and broken welds. Aluminum ladders should also be inspected for rough spots and burrs before first use. Wood ladders should be inspected for cracked wood, splinters, and rot. Look for broken or loose hardware. Protect wood ladders with linseed oil or clear sealant. Never paint a wooden ladder - the paint may hide imperfections such as rot or cracks. Fiberglass ladders are protected with a clear sealant. If the fiberglass is damaged through the sealant, sand lightly before applying another coat of lacquer. Add new comment All fields are required. Name:* Email Address:* Comments* Please enter the phrase as it is shown in the box above.    No Comments November 13, 2009 9 Tips to a healthier home Don't use pesticides, insect repellents, or mothballs, because they are designed to attack living cells. When you bring your clothes home from the dry cleaners, try to air them out and don't store them in your bedroom. Harmful dry cleaning solvents can be released into the air you and your family breathe. Computer printers and copiers should not be used in a bedroom, because they release pollutants and often times the electromagnetic frequency they emit will interfere with your ability to have a good nights sleep. Leave shoes used outside at the door to avoid tracking dirt and chemicals through your house. Tracking in dirt and chemicals from outside and on to your flooring and then walking on that dirty flooring barefoot can allow the outdoor dirt and pollutants to enter your body through the pores on the bottom of your feet. Have your basement evaluated for mold growth and moisture problems. Have your heating and cooling system professionally inspected, including outdoor air intakes, room air supply and return grills, air filters, air handlers, and drain pans. If you have mold in your home, your air ducts may be contaminated too. First deal with eliminating the source of the contaminant, and then have your ducts professionally cleaned. The bedroom is the most important room to keep toxin-free. When we sleep, our bodies are in a state of rest and repair, and we don't do as well if we are trying to combat toxins at the same time. Open a window every night for fresh air. There is usually less pollution outside at night than inside your closed up home. Transformers of low-voltage lighting and ballasts in fluorescent lighting can emit high magnetic fields. Both these types of lighting should be avoided in areas where occupants spend a lot of time and should never be located on a ceiling below a bedroom. When placing furniture, check for magnetic and electric fields to avoid placing your easy chair, bed or baby's crib in a hot spot. Watch what is plugged in on the other side of the wall, because fields penetrate walls. Beware of placing your bed near sources of radiation such as TVs, VCRs, stereos, clocks, filtration devices, heating units, refrigerators, humidifiers and dehumidifiers, stoves, microwaves, computers, electric baseboard heaters and radiant systems. Keep your distance from all electric devices. Avoid sleeping on beds with innersprings, box springs, or metal bed frames. Metal serves as an antenna for electromagnetic fields. Anything steel can become magnetized and give off magnetic fields. 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