Winter Fall Prevention Tips to Avoid Injuries

Winter’s icy conditions, high winds and reduced daylight hours can increase your chance of slipping and falling. So, it’s important to be extra vigilant, even while doing simple tasks such as getting your mail or walking to your car. Here are some tips to prevent slips.

Take Your Time

Rushing to get out the door only increases the likelihood of missing a step or stepping on an icy path. So, give yourself extra time to complete chores or get on the road to reduce your chances of a slip-and-fall incident.

Here are some tips to remember:

• The floor near your door may be wet from melting snow or cluttered with boots, so take extra care in that area of your home.
• Be mindful that your feet don’t get tangled in long scarves and coats.
• When exiting a vehicle, swing both legs out of the door and stand on two feet for extra stability.

Pay Attention

It’s important to be aware of your surroundings. You can’t pay enough attention if you’re looking at your phone or carrying an armload of groceries. Make sure you have a clear view of your path and enough lighting to see clearly.

Take stairs one at a time, stepping straight up or down to maintain your balance. Check for ice while you’re walking outside by tapping your foot on a surface to see if it cracks.

Wear Proper Footwear

Rubber or rough-soled shoes with low, wide heels provide traction on ice and snow. To decrease your risk of tripping, wear shoes with laces that fit snuggly, instead of loose-fitting footwear. Consider changing your shoes when you come indoors to keep from tracking in snow.

Clear Walkways

Make your home safe for winter with these tips:

Indoor walkways: Remove loose cords and furniture from high-traffic walkways. Secure or move rugs that could be a tripping hazard. Keep a towel handy to soak up melting snow on your floors.

Outdoor walkways: Shovel snow regularly or ask a loved one to assist you. Lay down rock salt to break up ice on your porch, sidewalks and driveway. You can also use kitty litter for traction, but it won’t melt ice.

Take Small Steps

Walking the right walk can help you avoid falls. Bend at your knees and lean forward slightly to control your center of gravity. Take smaller steps and move slowly whether you’re inside or outside. You may need to shuffle or take gliding strides if you’re moving over ice and snow.

Dress Appropriately

Maintaining your body temperature and circulation keeps your muscles relaxed and your joints limber. Put on several light layers of clothing to allow air to circulate. If you wear gloves or mittens, you can keep your hands out of your pockets. That allows you to extend your arms to help with balance. Your hands will also be free to help you brace yourself if you do fall.

Use Handrails

Use railings to balance yourself when going up and down stairs and on sloping walkways. You can also install handrails by your toilet or in your shower to help you stay upright in the bathroom.

What To Do If You Fall

1. Tuck your chin and use your hands and arms to protect your head.
2. Evaluate yourself for injuries before trying to stand up.
3. If you’re hurt, call for help or use a medical alert system to get assistance.
4. If you’re uninjured and able to move, roll slowly onto your side to position your hands and knees under your body. Push yourself up onto all fours and crawl to a piece of furniture or handrail to pull yourself up.
5. Contact your doctor for medical advice.

Signs of an injury after a fall:

• Pain or swelling that lasts several days
• Lacerations
• Substantial bruising
• Persistent headaches
• Blurred or tunnel vision
• Disorientation
• Dizziness
• Loss of feeling in your limbs

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