Snow and ice in winter can create a beautiful winter wonderland but it also creates an opportunity for disastrous accidents if you’re not careful. Back, neck, shoulder and knee injuries are very common due to a variety of reasons during these cold months.
Below are some of the most common wintertime accidents and tips on how to avoid them.
Falling on ice and snow
Ice can be very deceiving and extremely difficult to see. What may appear like a puddle may actually be a slippery sheet of ice. Anyone is at risk of falling on snow and ice, but especially seniors. The pain created from this type of fall can be intense. Some of the injuries include broken bones, ankle strains and twists, severe bruising, head injuries, concussions, back and spinal cord injuries. The best way to prevent these types of injuries is to wear the proper footwear, keep a shorter stride and don’t rush!
Falling during winter activities
Tons of family fun can be had with a variety of wintertime outdoor activities. These include skiing, snowboarding, ice skating, and sledding! Unfortunately, falls and collisions result in broken bones and extremely stiff joints can occur. The best way to avoid these injuries is to wear proper sports gear, be knowledgeable in what you are doing, learn the best safety tactics.
Collisions while driving
Snow and ice means dangerous driving conditions. Many accidents occur because people think they can drive as fast on snow covered roads as they can on dry roads and this is simply not the case! The best way to prevent these types of accidents is to stay off the road unless absolutely necessary. Also, drive slow, which may mean driving well under the speed limit. Do not tailgate and remember it takes your brakes longer to work during these types of conditions.
Shoveling snow
This can be an incredibly tortuous job! The amount of twisting and turning it takes to shovel snow is intense. Several years ago, a national study was conducted that showed over the course of eleven years, there were 11,500 emergency room visits due to shoveling snow. If you are not in the best of health or shape, it may be in your best interest to hire someone to shovel the snow for you!