Protecting Yourself from Winter Injuries
Whether it's black ice on the driveway or a slippery sidewalk, we've all seen someone take a nasty fall during the winter or have even fallen victim ourselves. Here are some tips and tricks to keep yourself upright during snowy and icy conditions.
Common Winter Injuries
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), one in five falls result in serious injury and more than 800,000 people in the United States are hospitalized each year because of injuries sustained from a fall. When weather conditions are more severe, the risk of experiencing slips and falls increase dramatically. Some of the most common wintertime injuries from falling include:
Prevention
Taking the necessary preventative measures to avoid falling during snowy and icy conditions is the best way to protect yourself from injury. Here is a list of tips to keep you safe this winter.
Wear appropriate winter boots and slip-resistant footwear
Watch out for wet floors when entering buildings
Walk slowly and take shorter strides
Take your time when doing outdoor chores like shoveling and snow plowing
Tap your foot on the ground when you suspect it may be icy or slick
Avoid steps—they’re usually covered in black ice
Keep de-icer, salt, or sand in your car in case you come across any untreated areas
Keep your cell phone with you in case of an emergency
While taking these steps can help reduce your risk of experiencing a fall this winter, accidents still happen. If you experience a fall and suspect that you may have sustained a serious injury, you should call 911 or visit an emergency room immediately to be assessed by a medical professional.
Emergency Care in Vincennes, IN
Our Emergency care team at
Good Samaritan is here when you need us 24/7—delivering state-of-the-art emergency care in our specially equipped 20-bed department. We are also a
Level III Trauma Center. To learn more about our emergency services, call us today at 812-882-5220.