It’s that time of year when we clean gutters and complete those pre-winter house maintenance projects that involve getting up on a miraculous and treacherous invention that allows humans to grow exponentially.

But gaining that height also means we are a further distance from the ground and, without wings, faced with the impact of gravity.

This brings me to the concept of ladder safety. In September, I took a 15-foot tumble off an orchard ladder.

The fall fractured my vertebra and left me with some soft tissue damage. While my movements are limited to no bending, twisting, or lifting over 10 pounds, I feel darn lucky to be alive and without more permanent damage.

So I’d like to help others avoid this same predicament — and also recognize that on an island with no emergency medical center, we are fortunate to have the lifeline of a first-class fire district staffed with knowledgeable and compassionate EMTs.

After I fell, and lay stunned on the ground, I called 911 — telling myself to hit this button, then that one, then that one…

Vashon Island Fire & Rescue (VIFR) EMTs arrived within minutes and carefully transferred me from the ground to the aid car while I gave instructions to my neighbor on closing the house and turning off the plum jam in the crockpot.

I fell at 6:10 p.m. and, after the quick boat ride and even quicker surface transport — with my body strapped to a board, neck stabilized, hips and legs bound to protect my spine — I was at Harborview by 7 p.m.

During the ambulance ride, I appreciated the distraction offered by the EMT who educated me on the conditions of Seattle’s roads while he held my hand.

He told me that it was going to be a bumpy and painful ride. Time and proper technique are critical to preserving spinal function.

(And yes, struts and suspension in a modern ambulance are worth it when you’re the body in transport. Eleven hours later, I left Harborview knowing that I would continue to be ambulatory.)

I don’t know why, but the EMT asked me if I’d had experience with VIFR. The memories flooded me, as I wanted to honestly answer his question. Also, it helped to talk about something other than the pain that raced along every fiber of my being.

So, I told him the stories about when my mom fell through a chair and got stuck, and then, about when my husband collapsed from a cardiovascular event, in 2006.

It pained me to read, a few months ago, a Beachcomber commentary opposing VIFR’s levy (which thankfully passed) that “In all of 2021, CPR calls happened only nine times, less than 1%.”

I don’t know how many calls VIFR received for cardiac events in 2006, when Billy died, at age 41. To me, it doesn’t matter; we still lost a bright soul.

Even though first responders made it to Billy right away and worked on him for 30 minutes, we didn’t get in that helicopter that waited for him down the street. His arteriosclerosis was too far advanced and we lost a wonderful man with a giant loving heart.

I remain so grateful for VIFR, even though they could not save him. They have saved so many others, and in September, they saved me.

I’m also deeply grateful to all my friends and neighbors who helped us get through the loss of our beloved Billy, and more recently, so lovingly helped me recover from my fall in so many beautiful ways. This is an island of so many generous and thoughtful people. Y’all will never know how much those visits and hugs meant to me in that difficult time.

So, here are some practical ladder safety tips:

1) Use the right ladder for the job. 2) Inspect the ladder before and after use. 3) Set the ladder up correctly. 4) Climb and descend the ladder with caution. 5) Be safe and use common sense when using a ladder.

Follow instructions on the ladder; check for stability and don’t put the ladder on unstable bases; do not stand on the top step or the top cap; only carry loads that allow at least one hand on the ladder; don’t overload, do not lean outside the ladder rails past your belly-button; keep the ladder and the surrounding area free of clutter; and do not move or shift a ladder with a person or equipment on the ladder.

For more on ladder safety, head here.

Make good decisions, including supporting the lifesaving work of Vashon Island Fire & Rescue.

Emily Burns previously worked with Seattle’s transportation infrastructure, is now with Seattle’s Waterfront program, and has been fortunate to call Vashon home for over two decades.