Part of maintaining the exterior of your home means keeping your gutters clean. A lot of homeowners attempt to do this job themselves to save some money. If you do there are a few safety tips you should abide by.

1. Make sure the ladder you use is sturdy. Set it squarely on the level ground. Move away any straw, mulch, or anything that will hinder the ladder from setting firmly on the ground.

2. While using an extension ladder that is leaned on the gutters, try cutting a small 2×4 board that you can sit inside the gutter. By doing this, you will provide a solid location that you can safely set the ladder against without running the risk of severely damaging the gutter.

3. When you are on a ladder, never lean out to the left or the right of the ladder. Always keep your hips square with the ladder to maintain your balance.

4. Never stand on the top two rungs of a ladder. This is a vulnerable part of the ladder and provides little leverage if you were to lose your balance.

5. When working from the roof, never lean out over the gutter. You may want to purchase a safety harness and secure it to a sturdy item such as a chimney.

6. Don’t attempt to work on a roof during wet, icy, or windy conditions.

7. You should wear shoes with non-slip soles like sneakers or work boots while working on a ladder or working from the roof.

8. You should wear heavy duty leather gloves to keep your hands from getting cut up on sharp metal edges and the tips of screws on the inside of the gutter.

9. If is a good idea to wear protective eye wear or safety glasses while cleaning the gutters. It is not uncommon for gutters to have roof granules and other small particles to can get into your eyes.

10. Don’t try to work close to power lines.

By following these safety tips when cleaning your gutters you’ll do it safely. Safety is the most important thing you can do when preparing to do work to your home.

Hubert Miles is a Myrtle Beach Home Inspector and the owner of Patriot Home Inspections. If you are searching for a Myrtle Beach Home Inspection see what Patriot Home Inspections can offer you.