While the Northeast isn’t the coldest region in the country, it can certainly get quite cold throughout the months of January and February and when it does the chances of getting injured in a Connecticut slip and fall accident increase dramatically. The cold weather isn’t the only problem either, it’s also other weather conditions that will put you in a situation where you are having trouble with visibility or with getting solid footing that can make it difficult for you to stay safe while you’re navigating your life in the winter months.
Whether you’re walking to and from work or are out to get some exercise or take the dog for a walk or whatever reason you might be walking, you need to make sure that you are taking into account all of the elements that could put you in danger. Things like the type of shoes you are wearing and the path you choose can all be contributory to your safety or lack thereof if you’re walking in the winter. You must be cognizant of all of these issues when heading out, not just the weather conditions.
Once you have secured the proper clothing and chosen the right path you will want to follow some simple safety tips that will keep you from slipping on ice or tripping over curbs and getting hurt as a result of the impediment to your path. Take a few moments to look over the tips below and then tuck them away in your mind until the next time you zip up your winter coat and head out into the frozen tundra that is a Northeast winter so you can keep yourself from getting injured.
Tip #1: Stay focused on the pathway in front of you. This time of year any pathway or walkway can be a hazard, even if there isn’t a bumpy path ahead. Ice can form on all types of surfaces and if you aren’t paying close enough attention to where you are stepping you might hit a patch of ice that will send you flying ahead and getting injured before you know it. While you will want to periodically look ahead as you are walking, during the winter months your focus should be divided between the path ahead of you and the very path you are about to place your foot down on so you don’t accidentally hit an ice patch.
Tip #2: Keep an eye out for snow drifts or snow piles. The first, snow drifts, can cause you to not be able to see the path ahead of you and just might cover the curb of the sidewalk you’re walking on and if you can’t see the curb you may put yourself at risk of getting injured. Snow piles, caused by snow plows piling up snow on the side of the road after a big snowstorm can cause you to not be able to see around corners or into intersections and can put you at risk of getting hit by a car or tumbling forward into on-coming traffic.
Tip #3: Stay in tune with your body. This goes for any amount of walking you are doing in the winter, but especially so if you are walking a long distance. Your body will tell you if it’s time to take a break and step inside to warm up or cool down, depending on how you are moving. If your body temperature is too hot or too cold not only can it be distracting but it can also lead to other issues like hypothermia or dehydration which can be very dangerous to your overall health. If you’re walking along and something doesn’t feel quite right you may need to pop into a local store to take a minute and warm up.
When you’re out walking in the winter you can find yourself uncomfortable at times and this can lead to you losing attention and experiencing a Connecticut slip and fall accident that could leave you injured. Keeping in mind the above tips you will be able to go out for a walk, of any length, and enjoy the beauty and calm of a winter day without being too concerned with your safety because you’ll already be doing all of the right things to keep yourself free from injury.
The attorneys in our office have experience with all different types of situations including slip and fall accidents that are the result of weather conditions or other types of conditions. You should reach out to our office and one of our attorneys who has experience with these situations will speak with you about your individual needs and work with you to protect your long-term interests.
