3 Tips for Avoiding Slip & Falls in Winter

With New Jersey entering the middle of winter, we need to be more careful than ever of the chance of a slip and fall accident. Snow and ice can mix to transform sidewalks and streets into safety hazards. Slip and falls are one of the most frequent instigators of chronic pain. They can lead to disc herniations, spinal misalignment, and other conditions. With this in mind, we have provided some useful tips to keep your winter safe.

Walk Slow

Although many public employees of bigger cities spread salt to remove ice on public pathways, they usually leave behind uneven patches. Pay attention to whatever path you take, even if it looks like someone recently shoveled snow or cleared the ice. Walking at a slower pace with shorter steps helps give you time to react to any possible slips you may have. If you see any handrails nearby you should use them when you can.

Watch out for Black Ice

When a car starts skidding in the winter, black ice is normally the culprit. Black ice is clear, but it gets its name for how often it forms and blends in with the road’s darker pavement. Losing control of your car puts you at risk for an accident which can cause severe trauma to your back. Black ice is also a threat when you get out of your vehicle. Many parking lots don’t receive salt treatments as often as busy streets, and drivers forget to be careful when taking their first steps out of a vehicle. If you are a pedestrian walking parallel to a road that may have black ice, remain vigilant of passing drivers.

Invest in Shoes With Traction

Winter is no time to wear sneakers, unless those sneakers were designed specifically for the snow. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration recommends pedestrians to wear water-resistant boots, or shoes with rubber treads at the bottom. Think of your shoes as tires, those with real traction help prevent slips and sliding around. Once you walk into a building, remember to wipe the snow and water off your feet. Wet floors can be just as likely to cause a slip and fall accident.

If you’re experiencing chronic pain this winter in New Jersey, take as many preventative measures as you can to reduce the discomfort you feel, and contact us at the Garden State Pain Center to connect with one of our chronic pain doctors. It is never a wrong time to start a treatment for alleviating your pain.