Question: My father is in his mid-seventies and continues to be very active out in the community. When the weather is nice, he enjoys walking to appointments instead of taking his vehicle. Admittedly, my siblings and I are concerned about our father’s safety during the winter months over any other season. What are the most important tips we can talk to our father about to help keep him injury free during this time of year?
Answer: Wintertime challenges individuals with a variety of hazards – hazards that we experience at no other time of year – hazards that can take us by surprise if we are not prepared. The great news is that we can protect ourselves out in the community if we prepare for winter walking and adjust to the conditions. We need to remind ourselves that during the winter the rules for staying safe are dramatically different than any other time of the year.
A big area of concern is crosswalks at intersections. One of the biggest questions that I hear most is why are intersections so slippery? When a vehicle is at a red light, it sits idling while waiting for the light to change. The engine, exhaust, and tires are melting the snow and ice so when the light changes and the vehicle leaves the intersection, the now melted snow and ice refreezes, making it slippery. We also must take into consideration fluids leaking from vehicles, causing the roadways to be slick.
When your father does drive he also needs to keep in mind that after being in a warm vehicle, the soles of his shoes and boots are warm enough to melt snow or ice, creating a film of water between the sole and the snow or ice surface. This can also happen when leaving your warm home. Be especially cautious for the first five minutes after leaving your vehicle or home.
When walking on snow or ice, use short steps and keep your hands out of your pockets; this will help you maintain both your center of gravity and balance. Another great technique to maintain your center of gravity is walking like a penguin; this can be achieved by point your toes and legs out slightly. Lastly, there are a variety of shoe and boot attachments out on the market that will give you extra traction and stability.
