Stay Safe This Winter

In London Ontario we’re no strangers to winter and the hazards that come along with it. The recent snowfall from this weekend is something that we are familiar with in the “snow belt”. While it’s a time to get cozy in front of the fire with a cup of hot chocolate and enjoy winter activities like tobogganing and skiing, winter also means ice and snow and the potential for slips and falls and other accidents. Here are some tips to help you stay safe this winter.

Shovelling Snow

If you have a driveway or sidewalk, you may have been met with 2 feet of snow over night. Shovelling snow can bring about low back, shoulder and neck pain. While you may not enjoy shovelling snow, it’s important to clear for safety. Before you shovel, read the following steps that will help you reduce your risk of injury:

·Take five minutes to stretch beforehand to loosen and warm up your muscles and get your blood flowing, as cold or tight muscles are more prone to injury; don’t forget to stretch your hamstrings, as tight hamstrings put extra stress on your lower back.

·To protect your back, use a lighter, plastic shovel with an ergonomically curved handle so you’re not bending as much.

·Bend at your knees and lift with your legs.

·Turn your whole body, and keep your load light.

·Pace yourself and break the job up into parts if you can

·If you are tossing the snow, start with small tosses and get your shoulders warm. Keep the amount of snow reasonable – especially if this is one of your first times out this season.

Slips and Falls

It’s not just the elderly who are at risk of falling in the winter – we all are. Wear warm boots with grips on the bottom to reduce your risk of slipping and falling on ice, and take smaller steps. Don’t worry about looking silly; good winter boots are becoming more and more fashionable while maintaining function. Wear gloves or mittens so you can keep your hands warm while out of your pockets in case you need to catch your balance. And don’t carry heavy or awkward bags and packages if you can help it! Load them up in a portable cart or sled to haul into your house. It wouldn’t hurt for people who have a higher risk of falling, like seniors, to see a physiotherapist for falls prevention to improve balance and coordination.

Car Accidents

30% of car accidents in Canada happen on snowy or icy roads. For that reason, it's worth investing in winter tires. When winter tires became mandatory in Quebec, car accidents were reduced by 5% even though 96% of drivers were already using them. When Germany made winter tires mandatory, they saw a reduction in collisions by more than 50%.

Some other car safety tips to keep in mind:

·Make sure your vehicle is completely scraped off so you have maximum visibility. Get a scraper that has a long handle to help with reaching over your car.

·Keep an emergency kit in your car stocked with blankets, extra clothes, water bottles and snacks like granola bars, in addition to the basics of jumper cables, windshield washer fluid, a first aid kit and flashlights.

If you do get in a car accident and are injured, the Physiohaus Team can help. We are experienced in treating whiplash, concussion, low back pain and shoulder pain.