Winter 101: Your Complete Safety Guide to Prevent Slips and Falls

Get ahead of slips and falls this winter! Here are some tips to help you and your loved ones reduce the risk of a fall this season and avoid potential injuries.

We all know that falls in icy conditions can happen to anyone, but who do you think is most at risk? We all need to be mindful of the weather and the increased risk of slips and falls this winter. Unfortunately, as we get older, we are more at risk for falls, which are now the leading cause of injury for the 65+ age population. As the conditions get icy, we tend to see a rise in fall-related injuries such as concussions, fractures, and back strains and pain. Each year, 3 million older people are treated in the emergency room for an injury related to a fall. United States injuries incidence after a fall continue to increase at 1.5% per year, which correlates to 106,000 new fall injuries nationally, or more than $1 billion in fall injury spending.

When leaving your house in icy conditions, use your best judgment on if weather conditions are safe. If you must go out, dress for the weather and invest in proper-fitting winter boots with no-slip soles. Try to keep your hands free of items and out of your pockets in case you do lose your balance. Keep your feet safely apart, widening your base of support. Take your time. It is better to be slower and mindful in icy conditions. Be aware of your surroundings and do your best to stay on cleared pathways. Finally, bring your cell phone to call for help if you experience a fall.

Shoveling is another winter activity known to cause aches, pains, or falls each winter. Ultimately, shoveling shouldn’t be taken lightly. You need to be in good health to perform this type of exercise. Pushing the snow away from your body is typically better than lifting or pulling. When pushing, your strength should come from your hips and legs. When lifting, bend your knees so that your power comes from your legs and core.

Please don’t let the above statistics and risks stop you and your loved ones from enjoying the snowy months! The best thing you can do is to stay active! Prepare for winter by improving your overall balance and strength to reduce or eliminate potential fall hazards. The good news is it is never too late to improve your balance and fitness abilities. If you are concerned about balance, you can get individualized balance training with a physical therapist to decrease fall risk. In our Athletico clinics, physical therapists use researched and validated tests to assess how someone moves. We consider ourselves movement experts and can recognize deficits by observing certain movement patterns and balance strategies.

Connect with an Athletico location near you to start your journey to a more stable and slip-free winter. With locations available near your work or home, it’s a great time to connect with a licensed physical therapist to learn more about your available treatment options. Get started with a free assessment and be seen in person or virtually through our telehealth platform.

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*Per federal guidelines, beneficiaries of plans such as Medicare, Medicaid, Tricare, VHA and other federally funded plans are not eligible for free assessments.

The Athletico blog is an educational resource written by Athletico employees. Athletico bloggers are licensed professionals who abide by the code of ethics outlined by their respective professional associations. The content published in blog posts represents the opinion of the individual author based on their expertise and experience. The content provided in this blog is for informational purposes only, does not constitute medical advice and should not be relied on for making personal health decisions.