How to set up a ladder safely
To set up a ladder safely, stand it on firm, level ground, lean an extension ladder one foot out from the wall for every four feet of height, and extend it three feet past the roof edge. Climb facing the ladder with three points of contact, keep your belt buckle between the rails, and never stand on the top rungs.
About 15 minutes to learnTake care: injury or damage if careless
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How to do it
- Inspect the ladder for cracked rails, loose rungs and missing feet, and check its load rating covers you plus tools.
- Look up and keep the whole ladder at least ten feet from overhead power lines.
- Set the feet on firm, level ground, using a ladder leveler rather than bricks on uneven ground.
- For an extension ladder, place the base one foot out from the wall for every four feet up to where it rests.
- Extend it at least three feet above a roof edge or landing so you have something to hold as you step off.
- For a stepladder, open it fully and lock the spreaders; never lean a folded stepladder against a wall.
- Climb facing the ladder, holding on with both hands, and carry tools on a belt or haul them up on a line.
- Keep your belt buckle between the rails, move the ladder instead of leaning out, and stay off the top two rungs of an extension ladder and the top cap of a stepladder.
Stop and call a professional if
- The job is on a roof, a second-story gutter, or anything you cannot reach with your feet well below the top rungs.
- The ground is soft, sloped or icy.
- There are power lines anywhere near where the ladder would go.
Common mistakes
- Setting the ladder too steep or too shallow instead of using the four-to-one rule.
- Overreaching to the side to save climbing down.
- Using a metal ladder near power lines.
- Standing on the top of a stepladder or its paint shelf.
- Climbing alone with nobody home to help if you fall.
Quick self-check
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Teach this to someone
A one-page sheet for showing a friend, a roommate or a kid: what to say, what to show, and one question to check it landed.
Teach: How to set up a ladder safely
What to say
To set up a ladder safely, stand it on firm, level ground, lean an extension ladder one foot out from the wall for every four feet of height, and extend it three feet past the roof edge. Climb facing the ladder with three points of contact, keep your belt buckle between the rails, and never stand on the top rungs.
What to show, in order
- Inspect the ladder for cracked rails, loose rungs and missing feet, and check its load rating covers you plus tools.
- Look up and keep the whole ladder at least ten feet from overhead power lines.
- Set the feet on firm, level ground, using a ladder leveler rather than bricks on uneven ground.
- For an extension ladder, place the base one foot out from the wall for every four feet up to where it rests.
- Extend it at least three feet above a roof edge or landing so you have something to hold as you step off.
- For a stepladder, open it fully and lock the spreaders; never lean a folded stepladder against a wall.
- Climb facing the ladder, holding on with both hands, and carry tools on a belt or haul them up on a line.
- Keep your belt buckle between the rails, move the ladder instead of leaning out, and stay off the top two rungs of an extension ladder and the top cap of a stepladder.
When to stop and call a professional
- The job is on a roof, a second-story gutter, or anything you cannot reach with your feet well below the top rungs.
- The ground is soft, sloped or icy.
- There are power lines anywhere near where the ladder would go.
The check question
Ask: An extension ladder reaches a wall 16 feet up. How far out does the base go?
Related skills
- How to clean gutters safely
- Eye, ear and dust protection basics
- How to test smoke and carbon monoxide alarms
- Every skill in Yard, Garage and Seasons
Sources
- Ladder maker's safety labels and instructions, per ladder. Checked September 28, 2026.
Last reviewed . First published .