Ladders for long reaches range from straight wooden types to aluminum extension ladders (one that extends to 20 feet is adequate for most houses). Be sure your ladder is strong yet light enough to be handled easily. Below are some tips for using a ladder safely:

• Inspect your ladder for cracks and other weaknesses before you lean it against the house.
• Place the base of the ladder on firm, level ground at a measured distance from the side of the house.
• Get on and off the ladder by stepping onto the center of the rung. Use both hands to grip the ladder rails (not the rungs). Reposition the ladder if it wobbles.
• Keep your hips between the ladder rails. Don't lean out to reach an area; instead, reposition the ladder.
• Make sure that only one person stands on a ladder at a time.
• Install rubber safety shoes (available at home improvement centers) on the ladder feet if the ladder is to stand on a slick surface.
• Don't stand on the top two rungs of a ladder. If you're repairing a roof, at least two rungs of the ladder should extend above the eaves so you can step directly out onto
  the roof.
• Be sure the rung hooks of an extension ladder are locked in place and that no section is extended more than three-quarters of its length.
• Pull materials up a ladder with a rope and have a place to store them at the top; do not try to carry them up.
  

Working on a roof requires extra caution. The surface is usually slick, sloped,and well above the ground. Following are some precautions to take when making roof repairs:

• Don't walk on a roof any more than is necessary or you
  may cause more damage. Don't walk on tile and slate roofs at all—they're slippery and breakable.
• Let a professional make any repairs on a steeply pitched roof—one that slopes more than 25 degrees or rises more than 4 vertical inches for every 12 horizontal inches.
• Wear loose, comfortable clothing and non-slip rubber-soled shoes with good ankle support.
• Work on the roof only in dry, calm, warm weather. A wet roof can be treacherously slick; a sudden wind can knock you off balance.
• Never work on the roof when lightning threatens.
• Be careful not to put your weight on brittle or old roofing materials or rotted decking.
• Stay well away from power lines and be sure neither your body nor any equipment comes into contact with them. Keep children and pets away.

The standard safety devices listed below help to distribute your weight evenly and provide for secure footing. All are available from tool rental companies. In addition, be sure to check with your local state safety office regarding the laws outlined by OSHA (Occupational Safety & Health Administration); each state has its own safety requirements for roof work.

• A safety harness,used in conjunction with a fall-arrest rope, is an added precaution when working on steep inclines and will keep you from sliding off the roof.
• A metal ladder bracket allows you to hook your ladder over the ridge.
• Nailed to the roof framing, a 2-by-6 plank supports you and your working materials. Use strong, straight-grained lumber no longer than 10 feet unless you support the middle with another jack. Jacks have notches in them so they can be slipped off the nails. When you're finished, set and caulk the nails to prevent leaks.
• An angled seat board allows you to sit on a level surface while working.