Tips for avoiding slips and falls in the upcoming icy winter months:
- be careful of low lighting.
- watch your step over wet leaves.
- remember that if its rained recently, it may have turned to black ice.
- use grit that includes rock salt.
- think about the best route to your destination and plan on a little extra time to get there.
- avoid rushing or taking shortcuts over areas where snow or ice removal is incomplete.
- select sensible shoes – flat footwear with rubber soles provides better traction on ice and snow than leather-soled or high-heeled shoes. If walking to work- take your work shoes in a bag and wear the sensible ones! include ice grippers on your shoes if needed.
- use handrails where you can.
- take small steps to keep your centre of balance under you.
- walk like a penguin! knees bent, feet turned outward and small shuffling steps.
- avoid carrying lots of heavy shopping bags, especially on steps.
- walk slowly and never run on icy ground.
- keep both hands free for balance, rather than in your pockets- you can even extend arms out to the side for balance.
- always be aware of your surroundings.
- be particularly careful getting into and out of vehicles – and hold on to the vehicle for support.
- keep paths clear of debris, water, ice and snow.
- be sure to use floor mats when entering a building to remove moisture from the soles of your shoes – this will help protect you, as well as others who follow, from having to walk on wet or slippery surfaces.
- wear something warm and keep warm e.g. wearing plenty of thin layers, rather than one thick one; putting on a coat, hat, scarf, gloves and warm shoes or boots when you go outside; wearing clothes made of wool, cotton, or fleecy synthetic fibres; wearing bed socks and thermal underwear at night.
I will leave you with these thoughts to prepare for the upcoming cold spell, and think of me whilst I go and sun myself in the Caribbean for a couple of weeks 🙂