10 Ways to Avoid Common Winter Injuries and Stay Safe This Season

One of the heaviest ER times is during the winter. More than 36,000 people visited New York City emergency rooms during Thanksgiving day alone in 2016 alone.  And the earlier winter weather starts, the more likely someone is going to be injured.

What makes winter such a minefield of potential injuries?  And what can be done to avoid ending up in the hospital?

Winter Blues

Winter is prime time for injuries.  Several events contribute to increased accidents:

• It gets darker earlier.  With the end of Daylight Savings Time, it seems like the days are instantly shorter, so you don’t have a lot of time to get trip hazards picked up before you can’t see them.
• Winter weather is hazardous.  Ice, sleet, freezing rain, and snow all contribute to slippery sidewalks, stairs, and porches, not to mention streets, which make auto accidents climb. You also have snow to shovel, which can pose a threat to those not used to that kind of exertion.
• Inappropriate footwear.  Walking in snow or rain boots is definitely clumsier than walking in flip flops.  However, more injuries are caused by wearing “normal” footwear during inclement weather.
• Increased depression. Decreased sunlight can bring on increased depression.  Add to that the holidays, which can be a lonely time of year, making depression worse for those who already suffer from it, and causing depression in those who don’t normally have that condition.

Avoiding Common Winter Injuries

Winter may be a time of increasing chances for injuries, but there are ways to avoid a trip to the emergency room.  Let’s look at the top injuries and how to make sure you stay healthy in the winter months.

Falling on ice or snow.  Unless you’re living in the desert, you’re going to deal with ice and/or snow during the winter, at least once.  Slipping on icy walkways, steps or porches is the top reason people end up in the emergency room during the winter.  While sometimes the ice is easy to see, often you can’t see it, as in the case of “black ice.” Black ice is a thin layer of almost transparent ice.  Your steps might look like they’re just wet, but in reality, they’re covered in some of the slickest ice out there.  Serious injury can result, including fractured bones and head injuries.

To avoid slipping and falling, experts recommend:

• Wear appropriate footwear.  When you’re going outside during the winter, wear snow boots with thick treads and carry your work shoes with you.  Just walking from your house to your car can be dangerous in dress shoes.
• Prepare your walkways and stairs by putting down ice-thawing chemicals before, during, and after a snowstorm or freezing rain.  Just be careful not to expose your children or pets to the chemicals. For pets, if they walk in it, it can cause their pads to crack; if they lick their paws after walking in it, it can make them sick.  For children, make sure they do not touch surfaces covered with ice-melting chemicals. For everyone, do not walk on the floors of the house with ice-melt on your boots. Instead, change shoes and clean off the boot treads before putting them away.
• Shovel walkways completely.  If you have snow on your steps and walkways, the chances of falling are higher.  Don’t just clear a small pathway – clear surfaces completely and put down salt.

If ice is thick, use cat litter for added traction.  Cat litter will not melt ice, but it does give added traction.  Don’t liberally spread the litter and only use it on areas where you’re going to be walking.  Like ice-melting chemicals, it’s important to clean off boots and the paw pads of pets.

Automobile Accidents

Cars are just as susceptible to sliding on ice as you are when you walk.  And cars are bigger and move faster, so the potential injuries are greater.  Sometimes, there’s nothing you can do to avoid an accident in winter; often, accidents aren’t caused by what you do or do not do, but are caused by the actions of others.  As much as your winter driving safety depends on you, here are some other ways to protect yourself.

• Drive defensively.  Winter driving requires you to pay more attention to other drivers, as well as to the potential for a chance in road conditions.  If you can change your commute route, pick streets where there are fewer bridges and overpasses, where ice is likely to accumulate.  Drive on roads with lower speed limits. And if you see someone driving recklessly, slow down or pull over so they pass you.
• Make sure your car is winter-ready.  Put appropriate tires on your car; if you live where snow is common, all-weather or winter-specific tires should be on your car.  Tires should be kept properly inflated; under-inflation will cause the tires to be slicker, more likely to slide. If temperatures are going to be below freezing, keep your gasoline levels above half a tank so condensation does not accumulate and freeze in your fuel line.
• Watch your speed.  One of the biggest reasons accidents occur, regardless of the season, is driving at higher speeds than the conditions allow.  If there is ice or snow on the roadways, accelerate and slow down gradually; avoid slamming on the breaks. Don’t be afraid to drive slower than the speed limit, just make sure you move to the right-hand lane.  Take roads where the speed limit is lower.
• Stay home.  The best way to avoid an accident is to stay home, if at all possible.  On days where the weather is bad, make plans to work from home; more businesses are allowing for at-home work on occasion and there’s no better occasion than on a day when the weather is bad.

Heart Attacks

As it gets colder, the chance of heart attack increases, for several reasons – overheating, overexertion, cold exposure all contribute.  Winter weather is fraught with risks to your heart health, but there are ways to protect yourself, while still allowing your snow to be shoveled, and your home maintained.  Mayo Clinic has a great list of ways to avoid a heart attack in the winter.

• Have someone else shovel your snow.  It’s easy to jump up, grab a shovel, and start throwing that snow around.  But if you’re not fit, you’re older, or you already have heart issues, it’s important to skip it.  Hire or ask someone else to shovel. It doesn’t cost much and can save your life. There’s no shame in getting a neighborhood kid or even a professional service to take care of your snow.
• Don’t go outside half-dressed.  Wear appropriate clothing for the task.  Layer your clothing. As you warm up, remove a layer and add it back as you cool down.
• Listen to your body.  Heart attacks can seemingly come out of the blue, but there are warning signs that should not be ignored.  Feeling clammy is not the same as sweating from exercise. Shortness of breath, nausea, ringing in the ears, are all subtle signs you need to stop what you’re doing and call your doctor.  The more obvious signs of a heart attack – chest pain, increased shortness of breath, arm pain – are signs to call 911 as quickly as possible. Don’t try to drive yourself to the hospital with these early signs of heart issues, especially if the roads are bad.  Ambulances are equipped to handle the bad roads and can get you there quickly and safely.

Winter weather brings with it an increased chance of injury.  Listen to your body, use common sense, and don’t be in so much of a hurry that you forget to stay safe.