It’s essential to know how to walk safely at this time of year. If you have a difficult time walking on ice, you may find yourself isolated inside, badly injured or, in the worst case, dead.
Every year in the U.S., around one million people slip on ice and snow. It can cause serious injuries like broken bones and head wounds. But 17,000 of those falls lead to death.
Even ice that a person might consider “safe” can prove to be dangerous. In lake communities all around the country, officials are asking residents to stay off the lakes unless they are told the ice is thick enough to walk or skate on. If you live in an area where ice fishing is a common sport, ice report maps are available. If not, you can call your local parks and rec center or town hall to ask if the local ice is thick enough to walk or skate on. A person fell on Lake Michigan, and a rescue team had to save them from the shifting ice.
“It is not safe ice,” said Cpt. Lee Adams of Grand Haven Public Safety. “It’s a mixture of ice and sand with a constant current running underneath it. … That water needs somewhere to go so it either pulls out like a rip current or shoots up through those volcanoes, which is what everybody likes to see. The problem is, eventually those freeze over, too. Now, that leaves a hole in the ice.”
When you are on an icy path, there are things you can do to be safer. Walk like a penguin. Bend forward slightly, spread your feet, walk slowly and avoid hills. Spreading your feet puts your center of gravity directly over the ice and your feet. Pointing your feet out slightly prevents slipping. Take small steps, or shuffle, to keep your weight distributed and aid stability. Keep your hands out of your pockets and extended at your sides to help maintain balance.
To make a fall less injurious, wear a bulky coat that will offer you a cushioned landing. Try to avoid landing on your knees, wrist or spine. Landing on a place with less prominent bones, like your side, is better. And try not to tense. You are more likely to injure yourself if your muscles are tensed when you fall.
If you are unsteady on your feet in good weather, asking for help is a good option. Talk to your neighbors, friends and family, letting them know about your predicament. People will be happy to salt your walkway at the same time as theirs, help you make trips to the grocery store, get appointments and just spend time walking with you in general! No one minds being a helping hand, but they sometimes don’t know when to offer. Be the squeaky wheel and get the oil! People in your life want you to get through slippery situations safely!
