Taking some precautions before stepping out the front door can help avoid the embarrassment of falling on the ice, or much worse being injured.
While most people from Saskatchewan have had a foot slide out when stepping through their front door or climbing out of their vehicle, some tips can help prevent having to wipe snow off your back, or a trip to the hospital. Brad Compton is the manager of the prevention department for the Saskatchewan Workers’ Compensation Board, who deals with tons of injury cases from slips and falls at the workplace, but states that this affects everyone, everywhere.
“I think as the weather is changing; we see rain turn to ice and that type of thing at nighttime and then it gets covered with snow. So, there's definitely a lot of risk built in with that. I know it's a common hazard in the workplace for this time of year, but really, it's a common risk and hazard for everybody. The provincial injury rate has decreased 47% since 2010. However, in the same period, serious injuries like slips, trips, and falls have not seen the same decrease. In fact, they've remained relatively unchanged. Since 2019, falls from the same level where one of the leading causes of serious of injuries in the province.”
Most people will have a small slip in the winter at some time in their lifetime, usually resulting in a laugh and some cold snow to be swept off. However, sometimes these can result in serious injuries or death, especially in children and people aged 65 or older. In fact, slips, trips, and falls are the number one cause of injuries for children and senior citizens. Compton provides some tips on how to stay upright.
“Some of the common places that slips on ice specifically happen are getting out of your car or truck and also entering or exiting buildings. Some of the tips that we can do to address this, especially when walking on ice, is we can walk in designated walkways as much as possible, approach cautiously and assume that all wet or dark pavement areas are slippery or icy, can bend slightly and walk flat footed with your center of your gravity. Keep your hands out of your pockets. Wearing the appropriate footwear, so footwear with good traction to navigate slippery surfaces and opt for shoes or boots with non-slip soles and avoid wearing smooth soled shoes. Take shorter steps and walk slowly to maintain better balance and stability.”