Maintaining and cleaning your gutters is a critical part of the exterior maintenance of your home. This is a job that you can do yourself provided you do it safely. Here are some safety tips you before starting the job.

1. Be sure to use a sturdy ladder and be sure it is resting firmly on level ground. Clear away any straw or mulch if your ladder will be resting in a flower bed.

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. Never try to walk on the roof during rainy, icy, or windy conditions.

7. When working on the roof or climbing a ladder it is a good idea to wear non-slip shoes like sneakers or work boots.

8. Always wear heavy duty work gloves to protect your hands from sharp metal corners and screws sticking through metal surfaces.

9. Safety glasses are a good way to keep trash and roof granules from getting in your eyes while cleaning the gutters. This will help protect your eyes from getting scratched or irritated.

10. Always stay clear of electrical 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 blogger for many websites and the webmaster of Lake Property. Get more information on Riverfront Land websites.