National Ladder Safety Month

National Ladder Safety Month marks a focused effort to raise awareness of safe ladder practices in homes and job sites.

It reminds people to choose the correct ladder, inspect it every time, and set it up with care.

Experts highlight that over 300 deaths and hundreds of thousands of injuries happen each year from ladder-related falls in the U.S.

Simple acts—like using the right ladder type, checking rungs, and keeping three points of contact—can help stop serious accidents before they start.

This observance brings a friendly push to talk ladder habits with family members or coworkers. Short safety messages flow through social media, flyers, and worksite chats.

When people share stories about steady setups or quick inspections, it spreads a culture that values safety. That small change in talking can push good habits into routines.

With more awareness and teamwork, ladder use becomes smarter, and lives stay protected.

How to Celebrate National Ladder Safety Month

Here’s a fresh take on celebrating National Ladder Safety Month with easy, creative ideas anyone can try:

Host a Hands-On Safety Check

Pick one day to inspect every ladder at home or work. Look for loose screws, cracked parts, or wobbly frames.

Keep a checklist nearby while you work. Replace anything unstable right away. You’ll feel safer every time you climb.

Share Tips in a Fun Way

Turn safety into a game. Create a quiz with ladder do’s and don’ts. Hand out small prizes or treats for perfect scores.

Use flyers, sticky notes, or group chats to keep it going all month. Laughing helps people remember rules longer.

Add Visuals Around the House

Post bold, colorful signs in garages or closets where ladders are stored. Use short messages, and people will spot them quickly.

Bright arrows and cartoon symbols can catch the eye. Make your own or print free ones online.

Plan a Quick Practice Session

Take ten minutes with your family or coworkers to review proper climbing steps. Practice setting up on even ground.

Try the three-point contact rule together. No need for a lecture—just move, climb, and learn as a team.

Go Digital With a Safety Pledge

Record a short video promising to follow ladder guidelines. Share it with friends or post it online. Tag others to do the same.

Spreading the word this way builds habits that stick. Each clip can spark a safer routine somewhere else.

History of National Ladder Safety Month

The American Ladder Institute, known as ALI, started National Ladder Safety Month in 2017. They saw the need for better safety habits after years of rising injuries.

Every year, thousands of people get hurt on ladders—many while doing simple tasks at home or work. ALI wanted to change that.

Their goal was to help people stay safe by teaching the basics: use the right ladder, check for damage, and climb with care.

In its first year, the program focused on spreading key safety messages through schools, businesses, and local groups. That small beginning quickly gained attention.

Safety organizations like NIOSH, OSHA, and the National Safety Council joined the effort. They shared guides, held training sessions, and encouraged people to take part. Together, these groups made ladder safety more visible in everyday life.

As the campaign grew, new tools came with it. Posters, videos, free online lessons, and checklists popped up across websites and social media. ALI also created weekly themes. One week might focus on inspections.

Another might cover proper use or safe storage. These changing topics kept the message fresh, helpful, and easy to follow.

Over the years, more workers, families, and community leaders got involved. Some hosted events. Others shared safety tips online.

By 2025, the campaign had run for nine straight years. Every March, it reminded people to think before they climb. The message reached beyond the U.S. and inspired safety talks around the world.

National Ladder Safety Month began with one simple idea: prevent falls with good habits. Thanks to the people who keep it going, that message now helps protect countless lives, one steady step at a time.