If you've got a wooden ladder that's rickety or broken, here's what to do. Take a saw and cut it into pieces. Then use it as firewood. There's no excuse for using an unsafe ladder. Doing so is an accident waiting to happen. Even a perfectly good ladder can be unsafe, if not used properly. With stepladders, be sure legs are fully extended, hinges are locked into place and the feet are firmly planted for maximum safety. That warning at the top "this is not a step" means just that. To maintain proper balance, keep your hips between the side rails. With extension ladders, set the bottom out one-fourth the ladder's height from the wall and be sure the feet have firm support. And that's the On The House tip for today.