Icy sidewalks and driveways are common in the winter, and falls can be deadly. Here’s how to stay safe.
Tips for staying safe on and around ice
Ice safety can be deceptive, but these tips can help you stay informed and prepared.
accuweather
A potentially deadly winter hazard hides in plain sight and can strike almost any unsuspecting victim.
According to statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, an estimated 1 million people across the United States are injured each year by slipping on ice and snow, resulting in serious problems such as broken bones and head injuries, and about 17,000 of those falls result in death.
In the winter of 2024, Jolene Waldref, 49, of South Milwaukee, was leaving her job as a receptionist at a home health agency on Jan. 15 when she slipped on ice, fell and hit her head on a fence on a nearby property, according to records from the Milwaukee County Coroner’s Office. She died shortly afterwards of hypothermia in the frigid weather.
Such tragedies can also occur in the South. Karl Mathieu, a Louisiana man, died in February 2021 after slipping on ice and hitting his head on the ground, according to the Louisiana Department of Health.
With winter weather already in place across much of the United States, here are some tips to stay safe when walking on icy roads over the next few months.
assume the worst
When temperatures are cold, approach the road with caution and expect all wet, dark areas on the pavement to be slippery and icy, recommends the Injured Workers Insurance Fund (IWIF).
“Avoid boots or shoes with smooth soles or heels during inclement weather,” IWIF says in its online tip sheet. “Instead, wear shoes or boots that provide traction on snow and ice. Boots made of non-slip rubber or neoprene with grooved soles are best.”
Additionally, the California Department of Emergency Services says that while salting sidewalks can help, it’s not a panacea because ice only melts when temperatures are above 15 degrees. Salt can cause potential damage to concrete and plants, so alternatives such as sand or calcium chloride (for concrete) may be better options in some cases.
Safety tips for walking on ice
The Injured Workers Compensation Fund recommends several safety tips.
- Be especially careful when getting in and out of your vehicle. Use vehicles for support.
- Turn your feet slightly outward, like a penguin. Spreading your legs slightly when walking on the ice raises your center of gravity.
- Walk flat-footed, bending slightly and keeping your center of gravity as directly over your feet as possible.
- Extend your arms to your sides to maintain balance.
- Don’t put your hands in your pockets. Walking with your hands in your pockets lowers your center of gravity and impairs your balance. It also frees up your hands to prevent you from falling if you start slipping.
- Be careful where you step and go slowly (very…slowly).
- Take short steps or shuffle your feet to stabilize yourself.
- Wear a thick, bulky coat to protect yourself from falls.
What will you do if you fall? There are some things you can do in mid-fall (if possible) to reduce your chances of serious injury.
- Avoid landing on your knees, wrists, or spine. Make sure to fall into areas of your body that have thicker flesh, such as your flanks.
- If you feel yourself falling, relax your muscles. The more relaxed you are, the less likely you will get injured.
