As old man winter establishes his foothold throughout the northern US, snow and ice inevitably give rise to increased personal injury cases. Whether you’re navigating treacherous conditions en route to work or shoveling out at home, wintry conditions are more than just a pain in the back.
Fall Risks Are Significant
- According to the CDC roughly 1 million Americans are injured each year because of falling on ice and snow—17,000 of those injured experience fatal injuries.
- Fall victims cite back pain, sprained wrists and ankles, fractures, and ligament or tendon damage as the most common injuries.
Keys to Keep You Safe
- Wear Appropriate Clothing. When ice is imminent, avoid shoes or boots with smooth or worn-out soles. If you fall, wearing bulky clothing helps mitigate your impact with the ground. Wear brightly colored clothes to help others see you– reflective striping is recommended.
- Walk Slowly—Like A Penguin. While traversing ice, point your feet out slightly like a penguin. Although it might sound silly, be sure to bend slightly forward and walk flat-footed with your center of gravity directly over the feet. Keep your hands out of your pockets and extend them to your sides to help keep your balance (and if there’s a handrail, use it!).
- Use Designated Walking Paths. Identify sidewalks, crosswalks, and areas treated with de-icing salt. Taking shortcuts through snow or other untreated areas leads to injury.
- Wipe Off Your Shoes. When entering a building without carpet, wipe off your shoes on a mat—removing water from your soles will help reduce your chances of falling. Also make sure to scan your walking path and avoid slippery areas left by others.
Did You Know?
- Extra Commute Time Is Important. Remember, state departments of transportation need time and space to de-ice and treat the same roads we travel during snowy conditions. When travel is necessary during less-than-ideal-conditions, give yourself plenty of time to get where you’re going without the rush.
Learn more about Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) Winter Operations and the Dawood transportation team’s wide range of PennDOT engineering and planning support year-round.