Tips to Avoid Slipping on Ice – DiscoverMooseJaw.com

Taking a few precautions before heading out the front door can help avoid the embarrassment of falling on the ice or, even worse, getting injured.

Although most Saskatchewanians have suffered a slipped foot when walking out the front door or getting out of their vehicle, some tips can help avoid having to wipe the snow off your back or take you to the hospital . Brad Compton is the director of prevention at the Saskatchewan Workers’ Compensation Board, which deals with tons of slip and fall injury cases in the workplace, but he says it affects everything the world, everywhere.

“I think as time changes; we see the rain turn to ice and that sort of thing at night, and then it gets covered in snow. So, it definitely comes with a lot of risk. I know it’s a common workplace hazard this time of year, but in reality, it’s a common risk and danger for everyone. The province’s injury rate has decreased by 47% since 2010. However, over the same period, serious injuries such as slips, trips and falls have not seen the same decrease. In fact, they have remained relatively unchanged. As of 2019, this falls to the same level as one of the leading causes of serious injuries in the province.

Most people will have a little winter slip at some point in their lives, which will usually result in laughter and cold snow to sweep away. However, these can sometimes lead to serious injury or even death, especially in children and people aged 65 or older. In fact, slips, trips and falls are the leading cause of injuries among children and seniors. Compton provides some tips for staying upright.

“Some of the common places where slips on ice specifically occur are exiting your car or truck, as well as entering or exiting buildings. Some of the tips we can give to solve this problem, especially when walking on ice, are that we can walk on designated walkways as much as possible, approach with caution, and assume that any wet or dark areas of pavement are slippery or icy, can bend slightly and walk flat with your center of gravity. Keep your hands out of your pockets. Wear appropriate footwear, so shoes with good traction for navigating slippery surfaces and opt for shoes or boots with non-slip soles and avoid wearing shoes with smooth soles. Take shorter steps and walk slowly to maintain better balance and stability.