Part of maintaining the exterior of your home means keeping your gutters clean. A lot of homeowners attempt to do this job themselves to save some money. If you do there are a few safety tips you should abide by.

1. Make sure the ladder you use is sturdy. Set it squarely on the level ground. Move away any straw, mulch, or anything that will hinder the ladder from setting firmly on the ground.

2. If you are using an extension ladder and have to lean it against the gutters, cut a small 2×4 at least as wide as the ladder and place it inside the gutter. This will give you a firm area to lean the ladder against and reduce the risk of damaging the gutter.

3. While standing on a ladder, don’t try to lean out on either side of the ladder. While standing on the ladder keep your hips square to help keep your balance.

4. Don’t climb past the top 2 rungs on the ladder. By climbing past this point you risk losing your balance and causing the ladder to tip over.

5. While standing on the roof, stand to the side of the gutter rather then leaning out over the gutter. Also, purchase or borrow a safety harness to use during the job.

6. Never try to walk on the roof during rainy, icy, or windy conditions.

7. When working on the roof or climbing a ladder it is a good idea to wear non-slip shoes like sneakers or work boots.

8. Always wear heavy duty work gloves to protect your hands from sharp metal corners and screws sticking through metal surfaces.

9. If is a good idea to wear protective eye wear or safety glasses while cleaning the gutters. It is not uncommon for gutters to have roof granules and other small particles to can get into your eyes.

10. Don’t try to work close to power lines.

While cleaning your gutters is a good way to maintain the exterior of your home and it’s foundation, by following these safety tips you can do it carefully.

Hubert Miles is a blogger for many websites and the webmaster of Riverfront Properties. Get more information on Riverfront Houses websites.