Winter walking can be tricky and dangerous if you aren’t careful. Snowy and icy conditions often lead to painful slip and fall injuries. Some of the most common winter injuries suffered are broken hips and arms and injuries to backs and heads.
No matter how hard someone works to remove snow and ice from parking lots, sidewalks or steps, you must still be careful. Falls due to ice and snow are some of the most common winter injuries in parking lots and college campuses around the United States.
Below are some tips to help you stay as safe as possible in winter conditions.
- Wear appropriate shoes. High heels are not meant for winter conditions. Shoes with appropriate traction should be worn in the ice and snow. You can actually purchase over the shoe ice cleats for as little as $10 in most hardware stores.
- Take shorter steps and slow down.
- Don’t carry heavy loads that will cause you to get off balance. Use a backpack or a bag with straps.
- Wear appropriate hand wear to avoid having to keep your hands in your pockets. Having your hands free will help you maintain better balance.
- Use handrails whenever they are available.
If you fall, try to avoid landing on your wrists, knees or spine. A fleshy part of your body such as your side will create a more cushioned fall. Your natural reaction is to use your hands, but breaking a wrist is very common in these types of falls.
If you’ve been injured in any sort of slip and fall injury due to negligence, you may be in need of a personal injury or workers’ compensation attorney.