Up Close and Too Personal – Avoid the Hazards of Winter
It’s that time of the year again: winter is coming. And it will be here soon. Living on the eastern edge of the Atlantic means unpredictable weather, drops in temperature and ice, lots of ice. Ice is dangerous!
Many of us assume that only the elderly and very young need to worry about slipping on ice. After all, we’re Canadians! Most of us love ice—we lace up skates, drop hockey pucks, and enjoy what nature gives us in abundance.
However, ice can be dangerous for anyone—no matter their athleticism, age, or abilities. Last year at ALH, we found that out the hard way. Two members of our team fell on the ice—one broke her wrist, the other was badly bruised. And, while those injuries hurt, they’re not as bad as they could have been.
We lead busy lives and often do too much, too quickly. In winter, that is a recipe for disaster! Follow these suggestions to avoid your own calamity:
- Wear appropriate footwear. On icy days, you need flat boots with good helps to find footwear that zips or ties to hold your ankles securely. Think practical, not elegant and stylish. If you are walking any distance, crampons on the bottom of your boots are helpful. This is not the time to compromise safety for style. Carry an extra pair of shoes if necessary.
- When walking, take small steps and be sure one foot is secure before you place the second foot. 3. Manoeuvring in and around cars in parking lots is especially hazardous. When getting out of the car, swing both legs around and get your balance on both feet before you stand. Hold the side of your car when moving alongside it.
- Be sure your driveway and walkways are shovelled clear and use salt or de-icer to keep the ice under control. It helps to store salt in a covered bin along with a large scoop where it is easy to access. Interlocking brick is especially treacherous. If your property has an incline, black ice collects alongside and behind your car. Be watchful!
- Keep your hands free. Don’t tuck them in your pockets for extra warmth.
- Avoid carrying awkward or heavy packages. Move your car to the package to pick it up and drop it off where possible. There is a reason we call slips and falls “accidents”-- the icy conditions can unbalance the most surefooted of us. If you do find yourself nursing an injury, whether it’s a sprain, hematoma or break, there are things you can do to get back to normal as soon as possible:
RICE
The use of Rest, Ice pack application, Compression and Elevation (RICE) is universally applicable after injuries to reduce the extent of the injury and facilitate healing.
Know When to Seek Professional Help
If the swelling and inflammation persist after 48 hours, seek professional help. Your physician can rule out a break and your physiotherapist is trained to support the full recovery of motion and strength after an injury.
Add Low Intensity Laser Therapy
When accelerated healing is the goal, laser therapy is the go-to modality to reduce pain and inflammation and to speed healing. In addition, laser herapy promotes the formation of a healthy, mobile scar which is less prone to re-injury.
Above all, to avoid mishaps, think safety on ice! If you do injure yourself, seek the help of a trusted physiotherapist. There are effective treatments like laser therapy that can shorten the healing process and get you back to feeling great and doing the things you’d like to do.
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