Health & Wellness

Safety tips for winter walking and snow shovelling

It’s important to wear proper footwear when walking on icy surfaces to prevent falling.

During the colder months it’s important to stay active and get fresh air. It’s also important to use caution in snowy or icy conditions to prevent injury from slipping or falling. You also need to be careful when shovelling your driveway.

 

Here are some tips to consider to stay on your feet

  • Choose the right footwear with a non-slip sole (check out www.ratemytreads.com for reliable information on the best winter footwear to buy)
  • Give yourself plenty of time to get where you’re going
  • Walk like a penguin (mimicking the tiny steps help you keep your balance and footing)
  • Keep your hands free
  • Remove snow and ice from walkways frequently (see tips below for shovelling)
  • Keep the exterior lights on at your home, choose well-lit pathways, or wear a headlamp, so you have clear vision
  • Scan for tripping hazards, black ice, and uneven surfaces
  • When you go out for a walk, carry a small plastic bag filled with sand or kitty litter in your pocket to sprinkle as needed on icy sidewalks

Learn some snow shovelling tips to keep your body strong and healthy

  • Do not shovel after eating or while smoking
  • Warm up before you begin, and stretch your muscles after
  • Don’t wait for the snow to stop falling – shovel early and often
  • Whenever possible, use a snow shovel to push, rather than lift, the snow
  • If you have to lift, use a smaller shovel, or only partially fill up the shovel
  • Lift the shovel with your legs and not your back
  • Don’t shovel to the point of exhaustion, take breaks
  • If you’re feeling faint or in pain, stop
  • Know the signs of a heart attack – and stop immediately if you feel chest pain

 

Stories@IH

Read our latest stories

View All Stories

2 Minute Read
Community & Culture
Helping rural students explore careers in health care

The Healthcare Travelling Roadshow connected more than 400 rural students with hands-on health-care career exploration this spring.

/stories/helping-rural-students-explore-careers-health-care

6 Minute Read
Community & Culture
We are IH: Nation Chief & IH board member on finding balance

For Secwépemc Nation Chief Willie Sellars, who is a father of five and an IH board member, life is all about finding balance.

/stories/we-are-ih-nation-chief-ih-board-member-finding-balance

4 Minute Read
Community & Culture
We are IH: Biomedical engineer recognized nationally for patient safety

Jonnathan Quintero leads with curiosity and compassion, advancing patient safety, collaboration and quality improvement at IH.

/stories/we-are-ih-biomedical-engineer-recognized-nationally-patient-safety

3 Minute Read
Community & Culture
We are IH: Indigenous Patient Navigator proud to help her people

Indigenous Patient Navigator Deb Donald has spent time in nearly every area of Royal Inland Hospital. There are few places in the hospital she hasn’t been.

/stories/we-are-ih-indigenous-patient-navigator-proud-help-her-people

4 Minute Read
Health & Wellness
How speech-language therapy opened doors for IH director

As a young child, Julie Davenport struggled to be understood. Now she oversees Early Childhood Development programs, thanks to a speech-language pathologist.

/stories/how-speech-language-therapy-opened-doors-ih-director

3 Minute Read
Health & Wellness
Why you should avoid water with blue-green algae blooms

Learn how to stay safe in B.C. waters when blue-green algae blooms, or cyanobacteria, are present.

/stories/why-you-should-avoid-water-blue-green-algae-blooms

STAY CONNECTED

Receive news, alerts, public service announcements and articles right to your inbox.

Sign up today
mail