Winter is a great season to be in. It is the time for the holidays as well as spending quality time with your love ones. though winter is great it also has a negative side to it. During winter, accidents are more common specially falling on snow or ice (e.g.icy pavements and parking lots). A fall could result in bruises, sprains, or more serious injuries like broken bones, the best to avoid them is to follow winter safety tips.
What you wear on your feet can make a difference whether you fall or not. Boots or shoes that are well fitting and have a good grip are the best choice. Special items like shoe grips or ice cleats can give you extra traction when you are walking on snowy or icy surfaces. You can buy these items from many different places like department or sporting good stores. Remove these grips or cleats when walking inside because they can make you slip on indoor flooring.
Here are some Winter safety tips you should follow to lower the risk of accidents:
- Wear shoes or boots that provide traction on snow and ice; boots made of non-slip rubber or neoprene with grooved soles are best.
- Focus on trying to keep your balance.
- If you are carrying groceries or other items, try not to carry a lot because the weight could affect your balance.
- Point your feet out slightly like a penguin. Spreading your feet out slightly while walking on ice increases your center of gravity.
- Walk slowly and take small steps or shuffle your feet on icy paths.
- Keep your head up and don’t lean forward.
- Keep your hands out of your pockets. You can help break your fall with your hands free if you do start to slip.