Ladders don't have 'expiration dates' as such, but it is true that a ladder can only be used for so long before it becomes unreliable and unsafe. Climbing a rickety old ladder that's no longer fit for purpose may result in a nasty fall.

When using a leaning ladder for a quick job, it might be tempting to ask someone to quickly hold the ladder for you to make it more stable. This is called ‘footing’ a ladder.

While this may seem like a good idea in principle, it can actually be very dangerous. That’s because if the person using the ladder were to drop something or fall, the person below could suffer serious injury.

According to the Health and Safety Executive, step ladders “should not be used to access another level, unless they have been specifically designed for this.”

Whether you’re putting the star at the top of the tree, dangling mistletoe over the doorways, or hanging up lights inside and out, there’s a good chance you’ll need a ladder to get the job done. To help you use it safely, we’ve put together a list of Christmas ladder safety tips.

On an average day in the UK, there can be as many as two million ladders in use. That includes during winter, when people are putting up or taking down festive decorations, or sorting out emergency plumbing problems. The harsher weather of winter makes ladder safety a much higher priority than it is at any other time of year.