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How Today’s Ladders Can Help Reduce the Risk of Falls
Wider steps, better traction and added support are making modern ladders safer for tackling household chores and outdoor projects
2-minute read
Man climbing up ladder in room.
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If your ladder has been around as long as your mortgage, this might be the moment to replace it. Falls — many of them from ladders — send about 3 million older Americans to the emergency room each year, and ladder manufacturers have responded. New features and designs offer more stability and safety so that you can keep clearing those gutters with confidence.
Of course, if you have balance issues, it might be wise to avoid ladders and step stools. And experts say everyone should be careful to avoid overextending themselves as they reach for something.
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“One of the most important things to understand is that the ladder should be moved before the user has to lean or stretch beyond its side rails,” says Brian Shaunfield, a Lowe’s store manager in Charlotte, North Carolina. “Overreaching shifts the person’s center of gravity and can make the ladder less stable.”
Here are some of the latest ladder and step stool features designed to decrease the likelihood of falls.
Steps have become wider
Steps on ladders made before the mid-2000s tended to be narrow, just a few inches deep. But today’s ladders often provide a bigger landing space for your feet, which can reduce the chances of slipping and falling. You’re more likely to find these wider platforms on step stools than on anything taller, but they can make household chores like changing a light bulb easier to accomplish.
There’s better traction
“Many ladders now feature slip-resistant rungs or steps to improve footing,” says JJ Poole, a ladders, fencing and metal products merchant at the Home Depot. Ladder feet, too, have seen notable improvements in recent years. Usually wider or with a flared base, they increase traction and prevent movement. It’s also easier to find ladders with legs that extend to keep things steady on stairs or slopes. “Ladder levelers help create a secure setup on uneven ground, and stabilizers provide additional support for elevated work,” Poole says. But it’s always best to put a ladder on a surface that’s firm, dry and level.
Setup is a snap
In the past, it was sometimes hard to know when a ladder’s legs were fully engaged. Now there are mechanisms that clearly signal when the ladder is properly set up. While the specifics vary by manufacturer and model, they involve elements such as an audible click or a visible lock position.
They hold more tools
Not long ago, a single, rickety shelf was all you had to hold any materials you needed. New ladders can support much more, using tool trays, hardware compartments, magnetic areas, paint-can holders, hooks and more. They keep frequently used items within easy reach and lessen the number of trips up and down the ladder. Just avoid putting so much on them that you sacrifice stability. “Tools and materials still count toward the ladder’s total weight capacity,” Shaunfield says.
Rails offer support
Though it’s rare to find a large ladder with handrails, they do exist — and typically come with wheels and a hefty price tag. Smaller ladders for use around the house more commonly offer this option, giving you something to hang on to as you climb up and down. “Platform and podium ladders with larger standing areas and supportive guardrails have become increasingly popular options for a variety of home improvement projects,” Poole says. “They can provide added comfort and stability while working.”
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