It is important to keep your gutters clean and in good repair. Cleaning gutters is the perfect opportunity to look at the state of your gutters, your roof and where the two connect.However, cleaning gutters is potentially dangerous so please consider the following tips when doing this task:

• Have someone with you to hold the ladder and help if there is a problem
•  Be patient – you will be up and down and moving the ladder repeatedly so just accept that it part of the job
•  Don’t reach too far from your body
•  Wear gloves and/or use an implement to actually clean the gutters – there could be something sharp or with a bite hidden below other debris

If you are present when someone does fall from a ladder and isn’t moving, do not move them and call an ambulance. Even if the person gets up and seems to be ok, a trip to a doctor is advisable as there may be injuries you can’t see.