Winter Safety: Slips & Falls

Dec 23, 2023

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The risks of slipping, tripping, and falling increase dramatically during the winter months due to colder temperatures, as well as rain, snow, sleet, etc. Be aware and watch out for obvious signs of snow or ice buildup as well as black ice.

If you are not familiar with black ice, it is a thin coating of ice on a surface, especially on streets, that may occur once some melting and re-freezing has occurred. The ice itself is not black, but visually transparent, allowing the often-black road below to be seen through it. These areas of the ice are often next to invisible to drivers or people walking on it. Thus, there is a risk of slippage and subsequent accidents due to the unexpected loss of traction. If it is shiny, then it may be slick.

Prevention is the best medicine to prevent injuries. If the conditions are right, a person of any age could sustain an injury. This could result in the need for emergency services, splinting or casting, hospitalization, and possibly surgery to repair broken bones, or worse, head injuries and time lost from work.

Preparing for winter and the prevention of injuries may seem time-consuming but it is as important as preparing your vehicle for winter.

Plan ahead

If you can stay home then do so. You should be able to reschedule most appointments you already have set up. If you have to get out, give yourself plenty of time to get where you need to go. Leave at least 5-10 minutes earlier than usual in case roads, parking lots, and sidewalks are covered with snow and ice.

Proper footwear

Non-slip soles, deep treads, and wide, low heels are best. Avoid plastic soles such as flip flops or clogs, or leather soles such as cowboy boots. Adding snow grips to the bottom of footwear is helpful as well.

Step down, not out, from your vehicle

When getting out of a vehicle, swing both legs out and place both feet flat on the ground before standing up. Look at the ground before taking each step so you are prepared for what you may be stepping on. Hold onto your car for balance.

Take smaller, shorter steps (penguin steps)

This helps maintain your balance. Also, scan the path at least six feet in front of you to watch for trip hazards, such as clumps of snow, ice, rocks, etc. If you sometimes use a cane or walker for assistance with walking, definitely use it during inclement weather.

Walk on marked paths and avoid shortcuts

Avoid stepping onto the edges of curbs. Rounded surfaces do not provide much surface for your foot to get traction. Step over that edge and place your foot on the flat surface of the walkway. Watch out for black ice.

Keep your hands free!

Avoid using cell phones while walking. This will reduce distraction and allow you to concentrate on where you are walking. Wear gloves and keep hands out of pockets. Keeping hands out of pockets should give you more balance and if you do fall, help you to possibly catch yourself to prevent injury.

Avoid carrying multiple items at once, such as your purse, backpack, containers of food, etc. Either get help carrying items into the building, temporarily park closer to the building, or make more than one trip.

Remove snow and water from your shoes when you enter a building

Many homes and businesses may have rugs inside doorways to help prevent snow or water from being tracked inside any further than the doorway. Collection of snow that will melt or water will cause slip hazards for others.

Report icy conditions or slippery floors

Whether you are in a store, at a public event, etc., tell an employee or someone in charge, if you see slippery areas outside so they can shovel or salt the problem area or if there are no “Wet Floor” signs to mark wet or slippery floors.

Editorial Notes: This article was submitted for the "Weekend Check-Up," a regular health column in the Cowley CourierTraveler penned by employees and friends of William Newton Hospital. Contributor Teresa Sherrard, RN is William Newton Hospital’s Director of Occupational Health Services and works with hospital staff along with area business and industry.