10 Top Common Sense Tips for Avoiding Slips and Falls By Carmen Daecher

Winter weather is just around the corner. Driver injuries due to slips and falls happen too often. Use the following simple tips to prevent these types of accidents:

1. Wear shoes with textured bottoms in snow. A composite rubber sole and heel is usually better than a leather sole and heel. Better still, wear boots with textured bottoms.
2. Take short, deliberate steps when walking in snow or ice. Do not take long strides; do not take fast steps; and don't even think of running.
3. Keep your body weight through the middle of your feet (approximately at your arches) when you walk. This, in combination with short, deliberate steps will maximize your balance and flexibility for safe movement along slippery surfaces. Remember, when you are walking on snow or ice, think about "stepping down" rather than "stepping out" with each step you take.
4. Use handrails or any other supports available when walking on slippery surfaces. Holding onto a handrail or some other object is a further means of stabilizing your body as you walk along slippery surfaces. It is also a way to attempt to avoid falling if you feel a loss of balance.
5. When walking with items in your hands, keep your total weight, including the weight of the items, evenly distributed in both hands to hold the items - don't pinch items between your arms and chest. Your arms can act as stabilizers, even with items, when attempting to keep your balance along slippery surfaces.
6. Avoid sloped areas as much as possible when walking on slippery surfaces. If you must walk on a sloped area, keep your weight centered down through your legs and use any handrails, walls, etc., to help maintain your balance.
7. Regularly scan the area in front of you with your eyes as you walk on slippery surfaces. Look 5 to 10 steps ahead and directly in front of your feet using a scanning technique. Consciously decide the best path to take. Also, be sure your path is safe from obstacles, traffic, etc.
8. When inspecting the bus, go to the area that you wish to inspect. STOP and inspect. The proverbial "walk around" inspection is not a good idea on slippery surfaces. Walking or looking up away from your intended walking path does not mix well with snow and ice. The key words to remember during your inspection process is DELIBERATE.
9. Keep your body weight on your back foot when stepping off the bus onto a slippery surface. Transfer your weight slowly, and keep your body weight centered through the middle of your foot when stepping down from the bus. Our tendency is to step and allow our weight to move forward during the step process. This is not a good idea when stepping down from a bus onto a slippery surface.
10. Keep the bus steps clean! Use brooms, air blowers, etc., but don't let snow build up within the stairwell. For that matter, don't let snow build up within the aisle area either.

Even if winter isn't near you, these tips will help prevent slips and falls under any conditions. Keep them in mind. Be considerate to yourself. Stay healthy!

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