Did you know that slip and falls are one of the leading causes of accidental injury in Canada? Every year, tens of thousands of people are sent to the hospital in Ontario with a majority of those falling in the late winter and early spring due to wet surfaces and icy conditions. But you can avoid becoming a statistic by exercising caution and using these seven safety tips.
Wear the Correct Footwear
The majority of slip and fall incidents happen because people are wearing boots and shoes that are void of slip-resistant treads. If you live in an ice-prone area, make sure you purchase quality footwear with traction that is designed to grip the surface when walking on ice and water. Not sure how your boots size up? You can find a list of recommended boots at www.ratemytread.com.
Salt all Walkways
If the weather has dipped below freezing, don’t forget to salt all the walkways to and from your home, as well as the sidewalk within your property lines. If you neglect to salt pedestrian walkways, you could be held liable if someone slips and injures themselves.
Exercise Caution Getting In and Out of Vehicles
A vast number of accidents happen when getting in and out of vehicles. Putting your foot down on a patch of ice can lead to a serious injury. So before you step out of your vehicle check the surface below. If there’s ice, make sure to move the vehicle to a safer area.
Check for Slippery Flooring
Public buildings with lots of foot traffic will often have wet flooring during the wintertime. Before you enter a building, check to see if the floor is wet. If you spot any wet areas, try to avoid them completely and use another entrance.
If there’s a patch of ice that you have to cross over, go as slow as possible and take small steps. If it’s really icy, try shuffling or moving sideways to gain more balance, especially on an incline.
Many public buildings have handrails installed near entrances and close to stairways. Using the available handrails can provide better stability when walking on wet or icy surfaces.
Be Careful With Pets
Walking your dog on a slippery day may not be a wise idea. If something spooks your dog, you could be yanked forward resulting in a wipeout.
Thousands of Canadians get hurt and lose days from work every year due to slip and falls. If you happen to get hurt on someone else’s property because they did not exercise reasonable safety measures, you could be eligible for compensation. This could help pay for some of your medical expenses and the time you had to take off work.
When involved in an accident, contact us at Zuber Brioux. Our team of legal professionals are here to help you get the best outcome possible for your slip and fall injury.