Almost everyone who uses an extension ladder has had it slip out from under them. The lucky ones just get bruised. The unlucky ones can be killed or suffer permanent injury.

Here's how it's done

Tools: Properly sized extension ladder, power drill, hammer and ladder stabilizer or mitts

Materials: Screws and short length of 2 by 4

If you feel dizzy, have a fear of heights or it is rainy or windy, don't climb. If you get dizzy on a ladder or the weather turns bad, come down immediately.

Ladders are sized by weight capacity. Never use a ladder that is rated for less than your weight. Class and weight labels are attached to the side rails. If a ladder is old, weathered, painted or broken, destroy it. Do not use it.

If you are going up to a roof, the ladder has to reach 3 or 4 feet over the roof. Never carry anything in your hands while climbing up or down a ladder. Wear a tool belt.

Never use a metal ladder or a wet wooden ladder near electrical wiring or allow anyone to work under your ladder.

1. Set the ladder against the wall. The base should be 1/4 the height of the ladder from the wall. A 12-foot ladder should be three feet from the wall. To check, stand with your toes touching the base of the ladder and reach your arms out straight. Your palms should reach the ladder rungs.

2. If on a porch or deck, anchor ladder to deck by placing a short 2 by 4 behind the base of the ladder and screwing the 2 by 4 to the deck.

The ladder must be perfectly flat. If on unlevel ground, trench under the high side. Lift the ladder so the spurs at the base of the ladder point down. Set the ladder down hard so that the spurs dig into the dirt.

3. Jump on the lowest rung of the ladder with both feet to make sure the base digs in and no slippage is possible.

4. Always keep two hands and one foot -- or two feet and one hand -- on the ladder when climbing. Your belt buckle is your climbing and working guide. It should never be higher than the highest rung of the ladder. Never extend your body so that your belt buckle extends outside the perimeter of the side rails.

Keep safe and you will be around to brag about your job.

If you want to see a really complete selection of ladders, National Ladder & Scaffold in Madison Heights (800) 535-5944, www.nationalladder.com, is worth the trip.