Fantasy ladder
Imagine you could design a ladder, with complete freedom of choice over materials, dimensions, capabilities and accessories. What sort of ladder would you design? A major concern for many people when choosing a ladder is where it is going to be stored when it is not being used, or how it will be transported to and from work if it is a trade ladder. For that reason, it is tempting to think that telescopic technology might be favoured in the design of a fantasy ladder, as this is one of the most compact types of ladder out there. The concertina style folds of the space saving loft ladder are also appealing, [...]
Youngman Combination Ladders
Combination ladders are a great item to have for homeowners and tradespeople alike, as they can adapt too many different functions from the same set, cutting down on the amount of storage space needed. The Youngman range of combination ladders comes from a trusted and established manufacturer, who are the first choice for many tradespeople in the UK and beyond; so the 2.5 metre model is a good choice for anyone looking to buy their first set of ladders, or a replacement that can perform many functions in one. The Youngman 2.5 metre combination ladder weighs just 17.2 kilos, which is amazingly light for such a versatile piece of equipment, and when [...]
Ladder users and ladder losers
On this blog, we are no strangers to tales of stupidity, bravery and some uses of ladders that totally defy expectations, and here are a few more stories that are no exception. We just wish The Ladder Association were still taking nominations for their ladder losers and ladder winner competition, but perhaps these could be eligible to get an honourable mention in this year's contest. Our first tale of amazing ladder use comes from Pakistan, where a toddler was filmed making his way down a ladder that would make most people think twice about even using it. He can't be more than three years old, but already he is skilled at [...]
Choosing the right ladder for someone else
When it comes to picking the right ladder there are several factors at play, something that makes it very hard to buy a ladder for someone else, as you can never really be sure of what will be best for another person. Thinking about the purpose of the ladder is a good starting point; is it for accessing high shelves and changing lightbulbs indoors? Are there external property or gardening jobs that require a ladder? What sort of ground surface will the ladder be used on most often? Are there multiple reasons the ladder is needed? Step ladders are an ideal solution for small jobs around the home, whereas a tripod [...]
Ladder losers
The annual Ladder Association campaign for ladder safety is in full swing, and this year they are looking for both ladder losers; those who use ladders badly and ladder heroes; the best examples of good ladder use. Our first example fits firmly into the first category. An online video shows a man trying to access a ceiling by using a stepladder. Rather than setting the ladder up on the floor, where all four legs are stable, he decided to gain some extra height by setting it up on a folding table. It is unclear why he thought that placing cardboard underneath the legs would help in any way; perhaps he thought [...]
What is the best ladder for spring cleaning? Part 1
Once again, as the weather warms up and we start putting our winter clothes away (perhaps optimistically!) and we find all sorts of items stored away in our homes gathering dust and so we start the traditional Spring Clean. We all try to de-clutter our homes and make them neat and tidy, whilst also taking the opportunity to deep clean those now-empty cupboards and shelves, perhaps even giving a lick of paint to a tired room. Most of these jobs require a ladder of some sort, and depending on the scale of your sort out and redecoration, you may even need two or more different types of ladder. We take a [...]
Single-step ladder for the disabled
Climbing a ladder requires some degree of physical strength and mobility; in order to safely use a ladder, the person climbing should have full use of all their limbs to maintain proper contact with the ladder at all times. This means that the disabled or mobility impaired cannot safely use a traditional ladder, and would need to take a big risk to reach a high shelf or change a lightbulb around the home. World Patent Marketing is planning to bring a new product to market that will change these restrictions on safe ladder use for those who would otherwise struggle to use one. The One Step Ladder is designed for people [...]
Saddle up your ladder, we’re going for a ride
Many people love horse riding, but it can be hard to do if you have limited mobility or are disabled, due to the height of the animals. In the past, step ladders have been used to help people mount their rides, but the danger is that the horse could kick the ladder over and become entangled, causing the horse and rider to fall with potentially catastrophic consequences. If there is another person present to manage the ladder this is a possible option, but it does not foster a spirit of independence for a disabled rider. Single steps (like kik-steps and hop ups) are also used to help children mount a horse, [...]
Housing ladder comes to life
Cartoonist Tim Hunkin is well known for his sculptures and installations, having featured his work on the Channel 4 series The Secret Life of Machines, a show in which he explains the inner workings of many household appliances by way of animations. His latest exhibition, Under The Pier at Southwold will soon showcase his latest engineering masterpiece, The Housing Ladder. Based on the popular phrase that describes the uphill struggle that faces first time buyers, the interactive artwork lets users climb on a ladder in order to get their character all the way to the top of the housing ladder and into their new home. There are two ladders in the [...]
A rise in falls from ladders
Australian doctors have reported an increase of ladder falls over the past decade, to the tune of 47%; 5,000 people every year attend A&E, in Australia, following a fall from a ladder. Most of these injuries occurred in the over 60s, with women and men seeing an almost equal rise in incidents involving ladders; over a decade the numbers of women over 60 increased by 81% and by 73% for men. In the under 60 age group there was an increase of 30% in both men and women. This large increase in ladder falls for the over 60s, increases the complexity of the case as well as the length of the [...]
