Did you know that falls account for over 8 million hospital visits in America every year? For how incredibly easy and common it is to experience a slip and fall, we rarely anticipate them as much as we should. After all, all it takes is one misplaced step to wind up spending more than we might be able to afford on hospital bills.
With low temperatures and an abundance of icy surfaces, the colder months can prove an especially dangerous time for slip and falls. This brief guide will break down some key ways you can avoid the risk of a nasty fall this winter.
1. Wear Proper Footwear
An easy way to protect yourself from slip and fall accidents in the winder is to invest in footwear with proper soles. The right pair of boots or sneakers with a strong grip can be the one thing that keeps you from losing traction on an icy surface.
Even if you don’t feel like putting down the money for a new pair of shoes or boots, you can also purchase snow grips for the shoes you already wear. For an affordable price, you can attach rubber snow grips or metal ice cleats to the soles of your usual pair of shoes.
2. Take Your Time
In many scenarios, winter slips and falls end up occurring because the victim finds themself moving in a hurry, not checking their footing.
To prevent a potential trip to intensive care, be sure to move as carefully as possible, no matter how much extra time it might take. In order to ensure maximum safety, take small steps and pay delicate attention to the traction of your feet on the ground beneath you. No matter the situation, it’s not worth the risk to rush!
3. Use Tools and Equipment to Avoid Slip and Falls
Another measure you can take to prevent winter slips and falls is to make use of additional safety equipment.
A slip and fall can easily occur where there’s nothing to hold onto and brace oneself against. Consider installing handrails in outdoor areas of your home for added protection.
Also, if you use a cane, walker, or walking stick, that can provide an extra point of support as you make your way about icy terrain.
Furthermore, just because you’ve made it indoors doesn’t mean a slip and fall can’t still happen! You may want to lay down a few wet mats near your home’s entrances to keep you steady as you wipe off or remove your shoes.
Don’t Wait to Treat a Slip and Fall Injury
The injuries one might sustain from slips and falls are nothing to take lightly. If you’ve fallen and need treatment, it’s in your best long-term interest to act as soon as possible.
At Northwest Regional Health, we’re open 24 hours and have accrued over seventy years of quality patient service.