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Winter Safety – Slips & Falls Prevention – MSD, Inc.

Winter Safety – Slips & Falls Prevention

By January 28, 2023blog

Winter Safety – Slips & Falls Prevention

Over one million Americans are injured as a result of slip and fall injuries every year. Slip and fall injury rates increase significantly as temperatures decline. Approximately 50% of those who are injured in slip and fall accidents were walking on level ground when they slipped. Slips, trips, and falls are a leading cause of accidental deaths, second only to motor vehicles.*

When walking in a winter wonderland, we can reduce injuries by planning ahead, using caution while walking, and learning how to fall properly.

Plan ahead & stay focused

  • Look where you are walking
  • Follow designated walkways and avoid taking shortcuts across snow and ice
  • Use handrails when climbing or descending stairs
  • Keep your hands free by using a backpack to carry your items
  • Wear proper footwear – boots that provide good traction and ankle support

Walk like a penguin

  • Point your feet out slightly
  • Bend your knees and walk flat-footed
  • Extend your arms out to your side to help maintain balance
  • Take short steps and shuffle your feet, waddling like a penguin, for stability

Fall Properly

  • Protect your head – tuck your chin to your chest
  • Avoid putting your arms out to break the fall – keep your limbs loose and pull them in toward your body to avoid a broken arm or wrist
  • Turn or roll into the fall

 

Watch the following videos for more information on Winter Safety – Slips & Falls Prevention:

Walk Like a Penguin: https://youtu.be/BlMo3C4dAPw & The Correct Way to Fall: https://weather.com/safety/winter/video/the-correct-way-to-fall-on-the-ice

* Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Safety Always!

Vicki Dix
Safety Coordinator