Walk Cautiously on the Ice

Pass the following safety tips onto your drivers to help them avoid slips and falls when they walk on the snow and ice this winter:

• Use extra care when entering or exiting your vehicle
• Use the vehicle for support by practicing the three-point system of contact
• Never jump out of your vehicle
• Walk slowly
• Look out for black ice
• Assume that all wet, dark areas on pavement are slippery and icy
• Dew or water vapor freezes easily, forming an extra-thin, nearly invisible layer of ice
• Be especially cognizant of black ice early in the morning and in shaded areas
• Prepare for change in traction
• Bend your knees
• Stop occasionally to break momentum
• Wear shoes or boots made of non-slip rubber or neoprene with grooved soles
• Maintain your balance
• Point your feet slightly outward to increase your center of gravity
• Walk flat on your feet
• Take short steps or shuffle your feet
• Keep your hands and arms free
• Do not carry heavy loads
• Do not put your hands in your pockets
• Stay on sidewalks or designated walkways
• Walk along the grassy edge for added traction
• Wait for all vehicles to come to a complete stop before crossing a lane of traffic
• Remember, poor road conditions may prevent motorists from stopping in time
• Look out for vehicles that have lost traction
• Avoid shortcuts, especially over snow piles and frozen areas
• If you must walk on the street, walk against the flow of traffic, close to the curb
• Remove snow and water from your shoes or boots before entering your trailer or a building
• Floors, ramps and stairs may be wet and slippery from snow and water being tracked in
• Protect yourself if you fall
• Relax your muscles to minimize injuries
• Try to avoid landing on your knees, wrists or spine
• Make an effort to fall on a fleshy part of your body
• If you fall backward, tuck your chin to prevent your head from hitting the ground

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