Prioritize Safety By Staying On Your Feet This Winter
- Amoskeag Health
- 7 days ago
- 2 min read
Winter in New Hampshire is beautiful, but ice and snow create hazardous conditions that can impact your safety and lead to slips and falls. Falls can cause injuries and may lead to urgent care or emergency room visits. A few simple steps can help you stay safe and healthy this winter.
Places to Be Extra Careful
Some environments are especially hazardous in the winter. To prevent injury, you should remain extra alert in these areas:
Parking lots and sidewalks, where ice and snow can build up
Building entrances, after snow and water get tracked inside
Outdoor stairs, especially during and after wet weather conditions
4 Tips to Stay Safe This Winter
Wear the right shoes: Shoes with good grip help you stay steady when navigating ice, snow and sleet. Avoid smooth-soled shoes and high heels on icy days, instead opting for boots or shoes with non-slip soles to create traction while in motion. If you have ice cleats, use them. If your footwear gets wet, change into dry shoes once you’re inside to avoid making indoor surfaces even more slippery.
Walk slowly and carefully: Walk like a penguin! Take short, slow steps when walking outside, keeping your hands out of your pockets so you can maintain balance. Try not rush, even if you are in a hurry.
Watch out for black ice: Black ice is a thin layer of "invisible" ice that forms during extremely cold conditions. While very difficult to see, there are a few signs you can look out for on a cold day: the ground will likely look dark, wet, or shiny. Take extra precautions in especially shady areas and near bridges or gutters, common breeding grounds for black ice.
Use handrails and take your time: Stabilize yourself on railings when walking up or down stairs. When getting in or out of a vehicle, move slowly and keep three points of contact, like planting two feet on the ground with one hand on the car, or steadying yourself with two hands on the car as you place your leading foot onto the ground. Acting slowly gives you time to notice dangerous spots and make safe, intentional movements with your feet.
Preventing a slip or fall this winter can be simple. Small changes, like taking your time and walking carefully, can help keep you safe and injury-free!
