IF YOUR ladder has been around as long as your mortgage, this might be the moment to replace it. New ladders are easier to use and more stable.

Even so, always exercise caution, especially when reaching for something.

“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.”

These innovations may lower the chance of falls.

Not long ago, a single, rickety shelf was all you had to hold materials. New ladders have hardware compartments, magnetic areas, hooks and more. They keep items within reach, reducing the number of trips up and down the steps. Just don’t sacrifice stability. “Tools and materials still count toward the ladder’s total weight capacity,” Shaunfield says.

Steps on ladders made before the mid-2000s tended to be just a few inches deep. Today, you’ll likely find wider foot platforms on step stools especially, which can make household chores like changing a light bulb easier to accomplish.

Ladder feet have seen notable improvements—usually wider or with a flared base to improve traction and prevent movement. More ladders today have legs that extend to keep things steady on stairs or slopes. But it’s always best to put a ladder on a firm, dry and level surface.

In the past, it was sometimes hard to know when a ladder’s legs were fully engaged. Now there are mechanisms, such as a click or visible lock position, that clearly signal when the ladder is properly set up.

Though it may be challenging 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. —Chris Morris