Ladder Safety Device

A method of erecting a ladder against a surface, the ladder having side rails connected by rungs spaced along a height of the ladder, the method comprising the steps of:

• mounting a ladder safety device to the surface by fixedly attaching a mounting element to the surface, the ladder safety device comprising a ladder enclosure that defines a continuous enclosed perimeter completely around a latter receiving area, the ladder enclosure having a front support, side supports, a rear support, and a ladder rung engagement that is spaced from the side supports, the ladder receiving area being sized to receive the side rails and rungs of the ladder;
• inserting a leading end of the ladder into the ladder receiving area of the ladder enclosure such that a portion of the ladder safety device pivots relative to the mounting element from a support position to a receiving position that permits a top section of the rails and at least one rung to pass therethrough and thereafter permitting the portion of the ladder safety device to return to the receiving position;
• and
• with the portion of the ladder safety device in the receiving position below the at least one rung, lowering the ladder relative to the ladder enclosure until one of the rungs directly overlies the ladder rung engagement such that the ladder rung engagement supports a weight of the ladder and prevents relative withdrawal movement of the ladder with respect to the ladder safety device.