Walking on Ice

I remember one winter I slipped on the ice and landed on my elbow. Oh, did it hurt!

Going out after a winter storm can be dangerous, and falling on ice can cause a more serious injury than just a sore elbow. After my slip on the ice, I wanted to share precautions I take when walking on ice. Although these tips may help prevent you from falling and hurting yourself, they cannot guarantee you won't slip or fall. My best advice is to just stay home until the roads, sidewalks, and parking lots are cleared; that's the safest way to keep yourself from a fall and possible injury. I also recommend keeping a pair of ice cleats in your car or in your home so that you have extra traction on your shoes if you have to go out.

If you find you have to go out on the icy roads, remember the following tips when walking on ice.

• Take small steps.
• Keep your center of gravity above your feet.
• Don’t accelerate quickly. Walking at a steady pace allows you to maintain your balance if you begin to slip or fall.
• Avoid slopes where you can lose your balance easily.
• Never slide your feet. If your foot should catch on a rock or other object, it could cause you to stumble and fall.

Whenever you're about to step out of a car or out of the house, try testing the ground to see if it's slick. Hold onto something to keep yourself secure as you check if the ground is slick.

To summarize, stay inside if at all possible. If you have to go out, put on a pair of ice cleats and keep the above tips in mind.