As cold winter air moves into the area, it won’t be long before you find yourself dealing with snow, ice and a variety of other potential safety hazards. As a pedestrian, it’s critical that you take steps to protect against a slip and fall.
How can you protect against a slip-and-fall injury?
Here’s what you can do:
- Watch where you’re walking: For example, don’t text while you’re walking to and from your place of employment, as this forces you to take your eyes off the ground ahead.
- Beware of what you can’t see: It’s easy to see snow, but this doesn’t always hold true with ice. As a result, you could think you’re walking on a dry surface, just to find yourself slipping on an ice patch and falling to the ground.
- Wear the right shoes: The more tread you have on your shoes, the easier it is to maintain your grip in slippery conditions.
Remember: You’re not safe when you go indoors
Yes, it’s warmer inside, but there’s still potential for a slip and fall accident. For instance, if it’s snowing outside, people are likely to carry moisture in on their feet. Subsequently, the floors inside the building have the potential to become slippery.
Even if you follow the above tips, among others, you could still suffer an injury in a slip and fall accident this winter. Should this happen, stop where you are and call 911 to request help. After you receive treatment, revisit the cause of the accident to determine who was responsible for keeping the area clear and safe.