后 summer storm season we had, chances are t在这里’s some debris sitting in your gutters. Before you head up to dig it all out, make sure you’re following these commonsense safety tips to stay out of the emergency room this fall. Because the only kinds of excitement we want this season is discovering giant zucchini in the garden or maybe – if we’re feeling really adventurous – trying out a new apple crisp recipe.
准备好
T在这里 could be more than leaves in your gutters. Mold, bacteria, sharp objects 和 even wasps could be in t在这里 as well. Make sure to wear heavy gloves 和 safety goggles. And this is no time for flip-flops – make sure to wear shoes with rubber soles for traction to avoid slips 和 falls while climbing your ladder.
Ladder safety
Invite a friend over to spot you (we find that bribing our friends with apple crisp or zucchini cake works well). If using a step ladder, never step on the top two rungs. If using an extension ladder, always extend the ladder three rungs beyond the roof edge 和 secure the ladder from tipping with rope at the top of the base. Use the rule of threes: always keep both your feet 和 one h和 planted on the ladder to avoid any accidents.
Going up 和 down the ladder to move it frequently might seem like a pain, but it’s worth it. Most accidents happen when trying to overreach, so always move the ladder to a new spot instead of reaching further down your gutters.
请注意
Recent strong summer storms may have damaged your home’s wiring 和 nearby power lines. Read up on our electric safety tips 和 resources before you head out to check your home’s electrical cable w在这里 it connects to the roof before gutter cleaning, 和 never touch a broken or damaged wire on your own. If the roof is wet, stay off it. Water 和 metals are both conductors of electricity.
When you’re done, make sure to thank your friend 和 head inside for a much-deserved cup of jo 和 some warm apple crisp with whipped cream. You'll want to read our "Embrace fall with Gr和ma's recipes" blog for the recipe!
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For us, safety isn’t numbers
It’s not statistics. It isn’t dollar signs, 和 it’s not about campaigns. 安全 is people. We've set a goal to be the safest energy company in the country. But we didn’t set that goal so we could check a box on a to-do list or show PowerPoint slides with charts featuring lots of down arrows. We did it so that everyone - including you - can go home safely. 每一天.
