Ladder Safety: Teach Your Kids Early!

If you regularly do DIY or use ladders in your house where there are young children, you should make sure that they know which types of ladders they are allowed to climb and how to climb them safely. 

Teaching your kids ladder safety at a young age will help them to develop responsible habits that can be applied throughout their lives. Plus, it will greatly reduce the likelihood of fall-related injuries and keep them safe in a variety of different situations. 

Keep reading this blog for our best ladder safety tips for kids and parents!

10 Ladder Safety Tips for Kids & Parents

1. Make it clear that ladders aren’t toys.

Ladders are not toys and should not be used as climbing frames as they are not made from child-safe materials or with children’s play in mind. Explain this to your children and make sure they understand that they are not to play on ladders (or use them at all without adult supervision).

2. Always check the surface of the floor beneath the ladder. 

Ensuring there is a protective surface like a soft rug, wood chips or rubber beneath the ladder your child is climbing is crucial for cushioning their landing and reducing injuries in the event of a fall. 

3. Check for damages, sharp points and rough surfaces. 

Check for any damages or hazardous defects before allowing your child to play on a ladder and encourage them to do the same. 

4. Always face the ladder rungs while climbing or descending.

Some children may try to climb down the ladder backwards on instinct, as they are often taught to look the direction they are going. Make sure they know that this is unsafe and that they should face the ladder rungs instead. 

5. Keep clear of the ladder when someone else is using it

This may seem like common sense to most adults, but for children this is new information! 

6. Don’t climb a ladder at the same time as someone else.

Generally speaking, two people should never be on a ladder at the same time unless is it specially designed to support two people. 

7. Always maintain three points of contact while climbing.

Maintaining three points of contact (either two hands and one foot or two feet and one hand) will help you stay stable while climbing and reduce the likelihood of the ladder leaning and you or your child losing your balance. 

8. Don’t climb while holding items.

Climbing a ladder while holding things will disrupt your three points of contact and your balance, increasing the risk of falls. 

9. Don’t jump off or onto the ladder.

Jumping applies excessive force onto the ladder that lead to it collapsing or tipping over.

10. Always supervise your child when climbing ladders. 

Even you have already carried out all the relevant safety checks, always supervise your child when they are climbing a ladder in case there is an accident. 

Hopefully after reading this blog you now feel ready to teach some ladder safety to your children. 

Good Luck!