Ice Can Cause Major Injuries If People Are Not Careful

Coming out of the Blizzard of 2016, it is worth noting that in the state of Pennsylvania, slipping on ice during the winter months and after snow storms occurs more frequently than people would think. According to IcyRoadSafety.com, there were 26 fatal accidents in Pennsylvania between 2008 and 2010 that were directly associated with icy conditions.

Before you head out to your destination, you need to understand the potential for ice dangers, and the real slip and fall threat that ice presents.

Most Common Ice Related Injuries

There are a variety of personal injuries that can occur when it comes to people slipping on the ice, but there is a list of the most common types of injuries that occur in an icy slip and fall that people should be aware of.

According to OSSHealth.com, bone fractures, concussions, joint dislocation, muscle strains and back injuries are most common during ice weather. These injuries could be short-term, or they could wind up causing chronic problems for the rest of the person’s life.

What Should You Do If You Are Injured?

If you find yourself slipping on ice and facing some immediate pain, the worst thing you can do is to ignore it. You should get to an emergency room right away to be looked over by a doctor. After you have been seen by emergency personnel, you should schedule a follow-up appointment with your regular doctor. In some cases, slip and fall injuries can take days to appear and you want to be sure to take care of any injuries you sustain.

Another step you should take in your slip and fall accident is to contact an attorney about the possible negligence of the property owner. If you are able, you should take pictures of the site where you fell and make as many notes as you can. If your injuries wind up requiring long-term care, then you should seek out compensation from the negligent parties so that you do not have to bear the costs on your own.

Preventing Slip And Fall Ice Dangers

It is recommended that people roll with their icy falls to prevent serious injury. Instead of trying to brace yourself for the fall, you should get into a tucked position and try to roll through it to prevent breaking any bones or straining any muscles.

Some other tips to prevent falls on icy surfaces include:

• Avoid trying to carry heavy items during bad weather as that can cause your weight so shift and create a fall
  situation.
• When traveling on potentially icy sidewalks, always travel slowly and deliberately.
• If you live in areas where it gets snowy and icy during the winter, then buy special shoes that have grips built into the soles to help prevent falls.
• If you find yourself forced to walk across an icy surface, then you should slightly bend your knees and take shorter steps until you have gotten past the ice.

In Philadelphia, the threat of slipping on ice is very real. To avoid ice dangers, the best approach is to stay indoors until the sun has had a chance to break up the ice and make walking a little safer. But if you must venture out in the icy weather, then wear the right footwear and take each step carefully.