Wellness
Prevent slips and falls this winter
Winter can be a beautiful time of
the year, but the snow and ice
that covers the landscape in a
pristine sheet of white can present certain
hazards as well.
Walking on ice can be extremely
dangerous, particularly to those people
who already may have mobility
issues, such as the elderly. According
to the National Safety Council, slips
and falls are the single largest cause of
emergency room visits. Slip and fall injuries
also are the third largest cause
of workplace injuries, says the Bureau
of Labor Statistics.
Many accidental falls occur from
lack of stability or poor physical
health. However, come winter, many
falls can be attributed to walking
on slippery surfaces covered with
snow or ice. To avoid falls on ice,
you might want to take certain precautions:
Change the way you walk
Adapting to the slippery conditions
could help prevent some of the falls
caused by snow and ice. When walking
on ice, plant feet with toes facing outward
slightly, and then shuffl e along.
Hunching over a little and extending
arms outward will help to lower your
center of gravity and also offer a little
more stability.
Take short, fl at steps so that the
heels and toes of your shoes stay in
contact with the ground as much as
possible and offer maximum surface
contact.
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Switch footwear
Flat shoes with rubber soles are
more capable of gripping the ice than
other types of shoes. Contrary to popular
belief, clunky winter boots may
make walking more diffi cult. Try rain
boots instead, as rain boots typically
have fl atter soles.
There also are many different
types of shoe ice grips on the market
that can be added to the soles of
shoes. They easily slip on to offer
more traction. Whenever possible,
try to avoid shoes with already slippery
soles or high heels. Carry these
shoes with you and change after you
are inside.
Remove shoes indoors
Slips and falls can happen inside a
home as well. Many people have tile or
laminate entryways in their homes,
and these entrances can become quite
slippery when snow-packed shoes
warm up and the snow melts, creating
a wet, slick surface.
Avoid falls by placing mats by
the front door and removing shoes
when you enter. Stash a pair of slippers
nearby into which you can
change.
Falls on slippery surfaces can be
quite dangerous, especially for seniors.
Avoid trips to the emergency
room for broken bones or abrasions by
slowing down, dressing appropriately,
and walking on paths that have been
cleared of snow and ice.
The cold weather
brings with it a
season of smiles,
the fi rst snowfalls and,
unfortunately, cold and
fl u outbreaks. While everyone
else is suffering,
there are ways you can
make it through the season
unscathed.
It is estimated that a
billion people across North America
will succumb to the cold virus this
year, says Medline. Considering there
is no cure for cold and fl u viruses, prevention
remains a person’s best option
at fending off cold and fl u, especially
for seniors. There are different precautions
to take that can help protect you
against getting sick or at least reduce
the frequency and severity with which
cold and fl u strikes.
Although there is no magic pill to
take that will prevent you from catching
a cold or the fl u, there are ways to
improve your odds.
Wash your hands the right way.
Washing your hands frequently remains
the single-best way to keep viruses
and bacteria that can make you
sick from infi ltrating the body. Washing
your hands for at least 20 seconds
can effectively remove any dirt, grime
and invisible invaders.
Skip antibacterial
products. Because colds
and the fl u are the result
of viruses, which are different
in behavior and
structure from bacteria,
they will not be killed off
with the use of antibacterial
products. What you
may succeed in doing is
killing off any benefi cial bacteria on
your hands as well as creating resistant
bacteria that form with over-use
of antibiotics and antibacterial products.
Get the fl u shot. There is no vaccination
to prevent the common cold,
but there are immunizations that can
help reduce your risk of getting the fl u
or help minimize its severity. Doctors’
offi ces, clinics, and even pharmacies
all offer annual fl u shots.
Use sanitizer on items around
the house. Surfaces that are frequently
touched should be wiped down
with a disinfectant product. A bleachand
water solution is an effective sanitizer.
Surfaces to sanitize include
phones, doorknobs, light switches, remote
controls, computer keyboards,
faucets, toys, and countertops.
Avoid sick people.
Walking on ice can be extremely dangerous, particularly to those who may already have
mobility issues, such as the elderly.
How to stay healthy during the
season of sneezes and sniffl es