When you’re taking care of your home, there are going to be times where you’ll have to break out your ladder and venture up toward your gutters or your roof. And while you might not think that this is a dangerous task for you to be undertaking, people all over the country wind up in the emergency room after getting up on a ladder or the roof without taking the necessary precautions. So to ensure that your home improvement project doesn’t end up costing you more in medical bills than it does in materials, here are three tips for staying safe when you’re working on the roof or another high area of your home.

Wear The Right Shoes

Having sure footing is one of the best ways you can keep yourself safe when you’re up on a roof or high on a ladder. According to American Building and Roofing, the absolute best thing you can do is to invest in some sturdy, quality work boots. Not only will these type of boots have good traction so that you’re not slipping when on a precarious point, but they will also give your feet and ankles the support they need to keep you strong and not fatigued while working, which can be a cause for injuries or mistakes. Additionally, if you want to opt for steel-toed boots, you’ll have the added protection of ensuring that your toes will be safe if you happen to drop something heavy on your foot or get trapped under something that weighs a lot.

Use The Right Ladder

If you’ll be using your ladder to climb up to a higher point, like onto your roof, it’s vital that you’re using the right ladder that’s going to help keep you safe. According to Better Homes and Gardens Australia, you want to be sure that you’re using a ladder that’s tall enough for the task you’re trying to accomplish. To know if your ladder is tall enough, you should measure that the top of the ladder is at least one meter higher than the place you’re trying to reach. Also, you need to have the proper angle of the ladder to keep yourself safe. The right ratio to keep to here is 4:1, meaning that for every four meters you go up, you should be angling the bottom of the ladder out one meter.

Protect Yourself From Falling

Once you’re at the height that you need to be working on your roof, you should not concern yourself with protection from falling. According to Family Handyman, some of the best things you can do to keep yourself from falling off a roof are use a safety harness system and put roof brackets in place. Both of these things will help you stay securely on the roof until you’re ready to come down safely.

To keep yourself safe when using a ladder to get on the roof of your home, consider implementing the tips mentioned above.