Winters in Kentucky are known for their thrills and chills; depending on where you live, your winter wonderland may include dense fog, heaps of snow, ice storms, and even intense thunderstorms. Of course, this also means that we get to enjoy the peaceful ambiance of a quiet, snowy day.
When it comes to wintertime accidents and injuries, people naturally think of traffic collisions, sidewalk slip and falls, and sporting accidents. But many injuries are also sustained at home. In fact, a person can experience muscle strain just from shoveling snow or scraping ice off their car!
Driveway Slip & Falls
Day or night, it’s ridiculously easy to slip and fall on slippery ice patches. A hard fall can damage your back and easily land you in the emergency room. Even recovering your balance can wrench your back or injure your wrists and ankles.
Follow these tips to avoid a slip and fall:
- Take short and flat-footed steps
- Walk slowly
- Spread salt
- Don’t use distracting items or gadgets, such as a cell phone
- Wear winter-appropriate footwear
- Step down off curbs, not out
It’s important to watch out for ice if you’re working outside, playing in the snow, or even just walking to your car.
The Dangers of Shoveling Snow
One of the worst household chores in winter is shoveling the driveway and sidewalk. The unpleasantness of this laborious task is exacerbated by low temperatures and fluctuating weather conditions. Unfortunately, the repetitive actions of lifting and twisting your body can lead to muscle strain and shoulder injuries.
Common snow shoveling injuries include:
- Soft tissue injuries
- Lacerations
- Fractures
- Back injuries
- Head injuries
- Cardiac-related injuries
According to a study completed by the Center for Injury Research and Policy of The Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, snow shoveling sends approximately 11,500 Americans straight to their local emergency rooms each year.
Here are a few safety tips for preventing injuries while shoveling snow:
- Purchase and utilize an ergonomically designed shovel
- Warm up with light exercises before starting your task
- When possible, push the snow instead of lifting it
- Take frequent rest breaks
- Wear warm clothes and slip-resistant footwear
Many people use other tools like snowblowers to get the job done. No matter what tools you use, make sure that you’re using them as the manufacturer intended. Improper use of these tools can also result in serious injuries.
The Swimming Pool Danger Zone
Most pool and spa experts advise against draining your unused pool, especially in winter. This doesn’t, however, mean that you can slack off on pool maintenance just because there is snow. It’s still important to cover your pool, maintain its equipment, and properly balance the chemicals throughout the cold season.
However, this means that your unused pool is still a serious danger zone in winter – especially for small children and elderly relatives. Even if the water is frozen solid, there are a few safety matters you need to take into consideration.
Protect your family members by following these tips:
- Have a lockable gate around your pool
- Use a pool cover
- Lock any inside doors that lead out to the pool area
- If the pool is being used, make sure a capable adult is present
Drownings are a tragedy no matter the season. Unfortunately, a person can still drown even if your pool has a cover on it. In fact, some children are tempted to walk or jump on pool covers just because they appear to be a safe, solid surface. But these children may become stuck and unable to clamber out in time. The same can be said for someone who happens to slip or trip onto the pool cover.
Injured this Winter? Contact an Experienced Personal Injury Attorney Today
We hope that you have a safe and exciting start to your new year. However, if you’re injured by the actions or inactions of a negligent person, business, or government entity, contact our Lexington personal injury attorneys as soon as possible. The legal team at Goeing Goeing & McQuinn PLLC is experienced in litigating premises liability, product liability, and wrongful death cases. No matter the simplicity or complexity or your case, you can trust our lawyers to represent your interests both in and out of court. With our help, you can recover damages that account for your injury-related expenses.
Contact at Goeing Goeing & McQuinn PLLC at (859) 253-0088 to schedule a consultation.