We have always taken safety seriously in our remodeling business. In fact, we have a half-hour safety meeting every other Monday morning with our entire construction crew. We discuss everything from the safe use of tools to sensible lifting practices. In construction, the work is dangerous. Safety is a vital facet of self-preservation. Most tools require training in technique. For example: How to properly grip a circular saw or which direction to cut when using a razor knife. The list is endless.

When it comes to ladders, however, a new set of rules comes into play. A ladder is among those tools that must at all times be in pristine condition. Every nut, bolt and rivet must be snug and secure. Most important, a ladder must be sized properly for the job - both in length and weight capacity. More on that later.

Our policy regarding ladder safety is simple: If it wobbles, cut it up and use it for firewood. Can you imagine falling from a roof because the ladder was simply too old or in disrepair? Don't take the chance.

Here are some rules and a few tips that could help prevent a ladder accident in your home, and perhaps serious injury: Rule 1 - never use a worn-out ladder. In some instances they can be repaired, but more often than not, it is advisable to get a new one. Rule 2 - never use a ladder unless it is rated to carry your weight. Ladders are rated by the amount of weight that they can carry. If the salesperson at the store can't tell you the weight that the ladder is capable of carrying, find another store. Rule 3 - use a ladder that is the right length for the job. For stepladders, the ladder's height plus 4 feet equals the total reach. For example: a 4-foot ladder can be used to reach an 8-foot ceiling. Use a 6-foot ladder to reach a 10-foot ceiling, and so on. For an extension ladder, keep in mind that the base and upper sections must overlap. So, a 20-foot extension ladder is only good for about 17-feet. By the way, the ladder must travel above the roofline 2- to 3-feet so that it can be used for balance as you climb onto the roof. Finally, Rule 4 - Rest the ladder properly. Don't rest the high leg on a block of wood or a brick. Instead, dig a hole for the lower leg. Also, don't stand the ladder up at too little or too great of an angel. The safe angle is at about 75 degrees. Remember, too, much angle reduces the ladder's strength and not enough angle could cause you to tip backwards. Seventy-five degrees is an angel equal to when the minute hand of a clock is directly in between the 12 and the one, or 75 degrees from the three.

Last, but not least, it is important to consider the material that the ladder is made of. They are made from wood, aluminum and fiberglass. Our favorite is fiberglass. Wood is where it all began, but wood doesn't last forever. It is easily damaged by moisture and in some cases even humidity can have a negative impact on a wood ladder. Wood is also heavy and splits and fatigues with age. Aluminum on the other hand is lightweight and durable, but bends easily and is not safe when electrical work is being performed. Talk about a direct short between you and the ground. Never use a metal ladder to do electrical work. Fiberglass is not as heavy as wood or as light as aluminum, but it does not conduct electricity, is not susceptible to damage by moisture and does not bend easily.

A few more safety tips. If you plan to use a ladder in the garden, put down a small sheet of heavy plywood to prevent the legs from sinking into the earth. Remember that the ladder is only as safe as the base upon which it sits. Also, never stand on the top step (it isn't made to carry weight) and never stand on braces or anything except a step. Finally, only one person on a ladder at a time.