According to the National Safety Council, more than 25,000 slips, trips, and falls happen every day in the United States—one every 17 minutes.
While some accidents can be avoided, trips, slips, and falls become much more hazardous during the winter months. Snow, ice, and freezing temps in the winter multiply the number of wet and slippery surfaces at work and the potential for accidents.
According to the CDC, unintentionally falling is the leading cause of nonfatal injury across all age groups except 10-24. In that age group, unintentionally falling is the second leading cause of nonfatal injury.
Slip and fall injuries are serious
The majority of slip and fall injuries on snow and ice are classified as traumatic injuries. The injuries range from minor bruises, cuts and abrasions to severe bone fractures, spinal cord damage, and concussions.
A slip and fall is no laughing matter
Each year, more than 800,000 people are hospitalized from an injury caused by a fall. The most common reason for hospitalization is either a hip fracture or a head injury. What’s more, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the majority of traumatic brain injuries are caused by falls.
The good news is that you can do several things to prevent slip and fall accidents this winter. Whether you’re driving or walking on icy roads, walking up or down slick stairs, or you’ve slipped on leaves, Bennet Injury Law is equipped to handle your slip and fall case.
Factors for slip and fall accidents in the winter months
- Lower visibility from shorter daylight spans and snow, blizzard conditions
- Falling and dead leaves and increased rain creates slick conditions
- Below-freezing temperatures, moisture, and rain create slick roads, sidewalks, and black ice.
Preventing winter slip and fall accidents
Since it is getting dark sooner in the day, evaluate any uneven areas or hard to see curbs or steps and consider marking these areas with reflective signs, yellow paint, or yellow tape. It is also a good time to consider adding additional lighting to illuminate parking lots and walkways to increase the visibility.
Protect the floor
It’s essential in the winter months to keep floors dry and remove snow and ice from all outside areas to avoid potentially dangerous situations. 25 percent of ice- and snow-related falls happen in parking lots. Always have ice melt, salt, and shovels on hand for quick clean-ups. Salt is a quick and easy solution to spread on slippery areas around your home.
Wear the right shoes
There is no time to worry about fashion when it comes to staying safe this winter. Wear boots or sturdy shoes with textured soles to give you more traction on ice and slippery surfaces.
Take your time
Whether you are walking or driving, don’t rush to your destination. Getting from point a to point b becomes a lot more hazardous in the winter, so keep that in mind and give yourself plenty of time to get where you’re going. If you do start to fall while you are walking, stay calm. Try to roll as you fall forward and attempt to move into a sitting position if you fall backward. Take small, slow steps and walk as flatfooted as you can.
If you are driving and start to slip, pump your breaks. If you are involved in a winter accident, Bennet Injury Law has experienced car accident attorneys on staff.
Awareness
Pay extra attention when walking in the winter. Watch out for icy steps, sidewalks, and pathways. Take extra care when stepping on and off the bus and in and out of the car.
Stay home
When winter weather conditions get extreme, the best way to stay safe and avoid slip and fall accidents is to stay home. When you stay home, you don’t have to worry about slippery sidewalks, black ice, slick roads, and flat out hazardous conditions.
Winter safety tips for homeowners
Statistics show that half of all accidental deaths in the home are caused by a fall. As a homeowner, you have a responsibility to maintain your property so that it does not cause harm to your family and your visitors. Here’s what you can do to make sure your home is not a hazard this winter:
- Mats:Make sure you have mats in all the entryways to your home to help soak up water tracked in on shoes and keep areas from getting slippery.
- Inspect areas often: Inspect your premises on a regular basis so you can see any hazards and fix them ASAP before a slip and fall accident happens. Make sure you secure all safety rails so they can support guests and visitors.
- Salting walkways:Cover all walkways with sand, salt, or ice melt after a snowfall or an ice storm. This adds traction for guests and visitors and eliminates the hazardous buildup of snow, ice, and debris.
- Clearing dangerous areas:Remove all snow and ice from sidewalks, stairs, and other walkways right away. If a winter storm hits and causes snow and ice to accumulate, you need to remove the hazards regularly to keep your property safe.
- Checking your gutters:Keep your gutters and downspouts routed to drain away from walkways to prevent a slippery situation. This will keep additional water from depositing in areas where people walk, which could freeze and become hazardous.
If you fail to ensure your property’s visitors’ safety, you could be held liable for a slip and fall accident.
If you have taken a nasty fall that you believe is the fault of someone else, contact Bennett Injury Law today. Our skilled legal team is experienced in handling a wide range of personal injury lawsuits, including those involving slip and fall accidents. Whether you’re looking for justice in a slip and fall case or another type of case involving injury, sickness, or wrongful death, Bennett Injury Law knows how to leverage the full force of the law to get a satisfactory resolution for you and your family.
