With over 500,000 ladder-related injuries every year, ladder safety should be a priority for any DIY enthusiast. Our guide explores various ladder safety accessories that can reduce the risk of accidents and injuries, from stabilizers and levelers to work platforms and anti-slip pads.
Must-Have Ladder Safety Accessories
While many ladder safety accessories are available, some are more helpful than others. Here are the top six must-haves for homeowners.
Anti-Slip Pads
Anti-slip pads attach to the feet of your ladder, providing extra grip on slippery surfaces. They make working on smooth floors or wet outdoor surfaces easier and help prevent the ladder from sliding out from under you.
Built-In vs. Add-On Options: Many extension ladders come with textured-rubber pads already built into the feet. On hard, dry ground, make sure these factory pads are intact before climbing. For additional traction on soft ground, you can spin out the built-in spiked feet—step on them to drive the spikes into the ground, which keeps the ladder from pushing out.
Ladder Jacks
Ladder jacks are adjustable metal brackets that hang off the rungs of a Type I or IA extension ladder. Install them on two neighboring ladders set at the same angle to create a steady working surface. They’re commonly used in construction and painting and enable you to move along the length of a building or wall without constantly repositioning ladders.
Safe Setup: Never use ladder jacks higher than 20 feet. Above 10 feet, you must use a harness. Position jacks on either the front or back of the ladder — if the planks are in front, have another ladder available for access. Use only aluminum scaffolding planks meant for ladder jacks or 2×12 wood planks no more than 8 feet long.
Pro Tip: Nathan, a TOH remodeler, explains how to set up a ladder jack: “That slides right over the rung. And then we loosen this wing nut, we adjust the pitch of it. We want to make it level.” As he notes, “Any remodeler will have a set of these. It’s a great way to make a fast, level surface to work on.”
Ladder Levelers
Ladder levelers attach to the bottom of your ladder to maintain stability on uneven surfaces. They can be adjusted independently to compensate for slopes or irregularities in the ground, helping keep your ladder secure.
Expert Insight: John, a ladder safety expert featured on Ask This Old House, explains how levelers work: “You can move one or both of the legs of the ladder up or down so that it fits the contour of the ground that you’re working on, and keeps that ladder nice and straight.”
Ladder Mitts
Ladder mitts are protective covers that fit over the top of your ladder. They’ll protect your siding from dings and bruises while providing a bit of extra traction to prevent ladder shifting while you work.
TOH general contractor Nathan Gilbert calls these bumpers a must-have accessory: “Throw them on the top of your extension ladder. Protect the house.” They’re especially useful when leaning against painted wood, vinyl, or aluminum surfaces where bare ladder rails can leave marks or cause damage.
Paint Can Hooks
Paint can hooks are a simple yet invaluable accessory for painting projects. These sturdy hooks allow you to hang paint cans directly on ladder rungs. They free up your hands and reduce spill risks.
Stabilizer Bars
Stabilizer bars are U-shaped devices that clip onto the top rung of a ladder. Stabilizers significantly increase stability by widening the ladder’s base at the top. They’re especially useful when working on roofs or near windows since they hold the ladder away from the wall.
Pro Tip: TOH landscape contractor Roger Cook points out that stabilizer bars do more than just prevent tipping: “What it does is when you go up the ladder, keeps it from wiggling side to side.” When working on homes with aluminum siding, Roger recommends adding big pads to the stabilizer to “stop us from denting the siding, or even breaking it, ripping it off the building.”
Properly Installing and Using Ladder Accessories
Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions when attaching any accessory to your ladder. Before each use, inspect both the ladder and the accessories for any signs of wear or damage.
When using levelers, check that they’re fully extended and locked in place before climbing. Check that stabilizer bars are securely attached and positioned correctly against the working surface. Paint can hooks should be firmly seated on the ladder rung and not overloaded.
These accessories enhance ladder safety, but they don’t replace good practices. Always maintain three points of contact when climbing, face the ladder when ascending or descending, and avoid overreaching.
Expert Insight: According to TOH general contractor Tom Silva, ladder stabilizers (also called standoffs) should be used around windows for greater stability and to position yourself at a more comfortable distance from the work. And never use ladder jacks higher than 20 feet — above 10 feet, you must use a harness. As TOH has reported, nearly 247,000 people land in the ER each year because of ladder-related injuries — more than from any other piece of DIY equipment.
