07/31/2026
🪜 Did you know? Over 500,000 people are treated for ladder-related injuries, and approximately 300 people lose their lives in ladder falls in the United States each year.
That’s why last week’s Comfort VFD training focused on one of the simplest-but most dangerous-tools: ground ladders.
Whether we’re climbing to rescue someone from an upper floor, accessing a roof during a fire, or helping during a rescue, every firefighter must know how to safely raise, climb, and work from a ladder. We train on these skills long before they’re ever needed on an emergency scene.
Unfortunately, ladder injuries don’t just happen to firefighters.
Many occur while doing everyday jobs around the house like cleaning gutters, trimming trees, painting, or putting up holiday decorations. As we get older, a fall from even a short height can result in serious injuries that can change a life in an instant.
Here are a few simple ways to stay safe:
🪜 Inspect your ladder before every use. Check for cracked rails, loose rungs, bent feet, or damaged locks.
🪜 Set it on firm, level ground. Never place a ladder on soft soil, rocks, or anything that could shift while you’re climbing.
🪜 Keep three points of contact at all times. That means two hands and one foot, or two feet and one hand should always be on the ladder. Climb facing the ladder and avoid carrying heavy tools in your hands.
🪜 Keep your belt buckle between the rails. If you have to lean to one side to reach something, climb down and move the ladder instead of overreaching.
🪜 Never stand on the top step or top rung. If you can’t safely reach what you’re working on, you’re using the wrong ladder or it’s in the wrong location.
🪜 If you’re unsure, ask for help. No household project is worth risking a trip to the emergency room.
We train because we want to come home safely after every call.
We share these reminders because we’d like you to do the same.
Stay safe, Comfort.
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Oh yeah, have you seen our new website?
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