Winter Safety Tips: Prevent Slips, Trips & Falls

The moment you catch yourself falling or slipping can be scary or terrifying because you never know how it is going to affect you physically. Slipping and falling, whether it be outside of your home, inside of your home, or at your place of work, can cause very serious, physical harm and limit your mobility. To reduce the possibility of slipping and falling, especially when you trip on the floor, we must first identify the differences between a slip and a trip:

Trips:

Trips occur when your foot makes contact, with a moveable or unmovable surface, causing you to lose your grip and fall. Typical reasons for tripping include:

• Blocked field of view while walking
• Low lighting preventing your vision of a clear walking path
• Disarray/mess on the floors (i.e. piles of clothing, shoes scattered all over the floor, etc.)
• Rippled and lumpy carpeting
• Loose cables placed over your flooring
• Uneven stairs or levels of flooring

Slips:

Slips occur when you lose traction with your walking surface causing you to fall. Typical reasons for slipping include:

• Wet floors (common in bathrooms)
• Spilt oil (common in kitchens and garages)
• Inclement weather conditions causing snow and/or ice build-up
• Rugs that do not provide adequate grip and shift upon contact

Preventing Trips and Slips at Home

Here are a few winter safety tips to help you prevent slips and falls at home and stop tripping:

• If you spill any liquids, clean and dry it immediately
• If you are unable to clean a spill immediately, mark it so you know not to step on it
• Ensure you vacuum, sweep, or mop any debris on your floor
• Avoid clutter piles on your floor by using laundry baskets or by discarding items immediately
• Tape or use tacks to secure rugs and carpets that protrude or slip
• Use floor cord covers to prevent loose cords from posing a threat
• Ensure there is adequate lighting in your walking areas (hallways, living rooms, kitchens, etc.)

Preventing Trips and Slips at Work

Some people spend more time at their place of work than their own homes; it's crucial to ensure you employ safety precautions to prevent injury and stop tripping:

• Don't run, walk! Running reduces one's ability to stop quickly and adjust to their surroundings
• Avoid taking close turns when turning a corner
• Remove any clutter that will impede your walking path
• Report any cracks or warping in the floors to your manager
• Ensure you only walk into rooms that are well lit so you can see exactly where you're walking
• If you must enter dark rooms, use a flashlight to maneuver safely through the darkness
• If you must carry or push things, ensure that they do not obstruct your vision
• Bring to the attention of your supervisor the slippery steps and walkways leading to the company entrance caused by snow and ice, which can lead to slips trips falls. Implementing slip and fall prevention measures is essential for workplace safety.

Invest In HOTstars heating mats

Winter is around the corner, as snow and freezing rain may still overwhelm us. Investing in HOTstars heating mats, a top choice according to heated stair mats reviews, will ensure that your building's entrances are clear of ice or snow which can result in physical harm from slipping and falling. These ice melting mats for stairs will also provide adequate grip on top of its heating functionality. Incorporating these into your winter maintenance routine can greatly reduce the risk of slips and falls.