Growing up in Scandinavia eons ago, we always had 4 large wide rubber bands in our pockets. Slide two bands just behind the toes and two from the ankle down to the heel. Worked like a charm on any kind of shoes.
I was walking down an alley a couple of days ago. There was a garbage truck doing its job. I figured I could squeeze by - on ice. I got near the truck, lost my footing and face planted. The driver didn't see me and started backing up the truck. I thought I was going to die, literally. Fortunately, after a couple of tries I managed to get back on my feet. Scraped the hell out of my hands and knees, but didn't die under the wheels of a garbage truck. That's why I'm watching.
Over 30 years ago I told my husband that I had slipped and fallen on black ice on our driveway. He was incredulous and wanted me to show him where I had fallen - when I showed him I fell again in the same place. He was so apologetic and I’ve never let him forget😂
That was a great story, thanks. I was walking to the bus a few years ago and I said to myself I have a pair if shoes exactly like those, and they were my shoes, with my feet still in them.
I discovered an article about socks over shoes for ice, a study in New Zealand, about 15 years ago in The Guardian. I have done my own experiments for over ten years on ice and snow in real life situations. Wool or synthetic or cotton socks, an older pair, or even a combination, pulled over whatever shoes or boots or sneakers, preferably the whole shoe, but even just the front end up to the ankle. Amazing traction on ice. Walk with balanced weight slightly forward but not straight upright. Excellent on ice and snow. But when exiting the ice onto tile or polished surfaces the socks will be slippery like a wet mop. So take them off on those surfaces. In a pinch you could even just take your shoes off and walk in your socks if the distance is not too far. You will have great traction. Don’t be overconfident and still use your common sense. So only for ice. Excellent when I need to shovel snow or chop and break up ice even on a relatively steep incline. Try it yourself. You can find a few articles and videos about it. So called old school before all the fancy and expensive footwear that on slippery icy surfaces don’t work as well as socks over the same footwear. Try it yourself and you will see how effective it is. I now keep at least one pair or two in the car for an unexpected ice event. And don’t worry about how you look because no one is looking at you because they are too busy looking at themselves. You will not fall on your ass but others who are too shy to try it may. Stay healthy. Don’t fall on your ass or your head or break and arm or leg or shoulder. If your experience confirms mine and you really do walk more safely with socks over your shoes then share with your family and friends. Good luck. George of New York City.
Last winter I slipped on ice in a fraction of a second when I was rolling my trash can to the street down our long steep driveway. I always attached ice cleats to my shoes - but NOT this time!! (Never again!) I fell flat on my back. It knocked the wind out of me. I couldn’t breathe in! I didn’t break anything, but I was in incredible pain in my chest, and even in front of my chest where I didn’t fall! I couldn’t sleep well for days, and the terrible pain lasted for an ENTIRE MONTH. This year I am so paranoid about falling on ice. I always wear my ice cleats, but even with that I am mindful every moment. Please never forget that we have such fragile bodies! Be SAFE out there!!
Thanks guys I've nver broken anything, but have come real close. My girl friend at the time, now wife for many years , and I were to get together for New Years Eve. She went out to buy special groceries for our dinner. On the way home she slipped on the ice causing a fracture. I received a phone call from her sister, who I didn't know at the time informing me she was in Wellesley hospital in Toronto {goes way back) being treated for a broken arm. Not to be discouraged, I went to the hospital, bottle of champagne and two glasses in hand to console her. The nurses informed me she had gone home, but I could share the bottle with them. She being a head nurse herself was not having anything to do with a hospital on New Years Eve. I thanked the nurses, appologized for not leaving the bottle and continued to her apartment where I found her sitting on the couch sad faced with an arm sling that looked like it was applied by someone cross eyed. Being familiar with emergency first aid myself I fixed her sling, poured her a strong beverage and fixed us some eats. Happy ending. This is now our unofficial first aniversary. Happy New Years. Cheers!
Fall like a foot ball player! I was once walking on ice behind a guy who hit the ground and rolled. Stood up, dusted himself off and kept on walking. I was impressed!🏈
When the fall is all there is, it matters how you fall. This is the same as falling like a snow skier, assume you are going to slip and be prepared to slide. If you are going to fall, try to fall to your side and do not stick out your hands to avoid a wrist/Colles fracture but fall on your hip/shoulder. “Prince Richard: [the sons - in the dungeon - think they hear Henry II approach] He's here. He'll get no satisfaction out of me. He isn't going to see me beg. Prince Geoffrey: My you chivalric fool... as if the way one fell down mattered. Prince Richard: When the fall is all there is, it matters. From "The Lion in Winter" When Richard, Geoffrey and John were locked in the dungeon and Henry II was coming down to execute them.
I fell on my sidewalk this fall and didn't slip or trip on anything. Just turned my head to the right and boom. Fell on my right side. Now I have trouble with my right hip. Guess I don't need ice to fall!
I had slippery brick steps and bushes around the porch. I slipped stepping down and landed between the bushes and the porch. The bush broke my fall, my back missed the edge of the concrete porch. So from the street you could see my legs were sticking in the air from behind the bush. I was fine but I was folded up and my fit was so tight I couldn’t even move sideways. The bushes and snow muffled my distress. Fortunately the guy across the street could see me from the upstairs and I met him for the first time as he came to my aid.. I was glad I wasn’t wearing a skirt.
I get mocked for walking slowly on ice. Thanks for backing me up. I fell a couple of years ago and hurt my shoulder (and that wasn't even ice related) ... took almost a year, including some physio finally to get back to normal. Falling isn't fun.
I fell on the ice, my forward foot carried on sliding forward and I ended up doing the splits on the ground. When I managed to hobble home I realised I had pulled muscles and had bruises on my legs. My hip felt dislocated! I couldn't walk for 3 days. Not only that but all the people in cars saw me do it, so embarrassing
End of a family Christmas visit. Short, steep driveway. Black ice. One person slipped going down the driveway and took out two others who had already made it safely down. Other helpers fared no better. It looked like a bowling alley with all the pins going down. Funny and awful at the same time. The slipping and sliding and people clutching on to one another seemed to go on forever. Oldest person taken to ER with a broken wrist. A Christmas night to remember....
I walk daily and just a few days ago, I went down on the ice. It was in the teens Fahrenheit...bitter cold, so I was really bundled and warm. Everything was covered except my eyes. The problem was, I was so bundled, I couldn't watch my feet and my glasses fogged up. So my advice is....keep an eye on you where your feet are going. No breaks but sore right arm (It caught the brunt of the fall)and hip. Thank goodness, I'm 73. I am in good physical shape, that saved me. Thanks for the video!
@@kathyradic3368 that’s great and I respect your exercise routines. I’m 10 years younger and I used to run. I live in a neighborhood but I have to get in the car and go to the park by the streets are so potholed once it snows you don’t know where they are. After 3 falls and my friend broke her wrist so now I look for dirt trails if I can.
@lynnschaeferle-zh4go Definitely, dirt trails are better. We do have potholes in my small town and raised sidewalks as a result of old tree roots. Tripping and falling hazards. We do have a nice trail, though, and a park along the river. The worst injury I had was when I tripped on a raised sidewalk. I learned to be very cautious of those. Take care and stay safe.
I have to take my glasses off when I'm outside in the winter. They fog up when I have a scarf on. I'm really nearsighted but I can see well enough to see where I'm going.
I worked as an RN on an Orthopedic Unit for 20 years and this time of year was our bread and butter. Always with multiple admissions for ankle, wrist, and hip fractures from falls on the ice and/or snow. The pain, incapacity, the surgeries, learning to walk with a cast and crutches or walker - absolutely terrible. Please be safe out there!
Although I have fallen on ice several times, thankfully I have not fallen recently, and have never broken a bone. As I get older, I am more careful about walking carefully in winter weather conditions.
Hands down any ice gripping traction on winter boots helps 100%. Bought a pair of Icetrax a couple years ago and works like a charm. I get to walk outdoors more often now during the winter.
I once came to the rescue of a woman who had fallen in the winter. She had good traction on the soles of her boots but had slipped on a piece of black ice no bigger than the size of her foot. She suffered a very bad break and was off work for months. Ever since then I have been Very cautious about walking in the winter, constantly scanning for possible ice underfoot.
Great advice. I broke a wrist on an icy sidewalk that looked harmless. Fell backward to avoid hitting my head, the wrist took the impact. As a fast walker I had to learn to slow down, and step firmly downward, rather than sliding the foot forward as I was doing. With five other bones (and the other wrist too) broken in falls, I've learned to take the safe route every time. Sometimes I walk in the cleared roadway to avoid icy sidewalks (looking for cars of course). Avoid that deadly gray ice! I even walk on lightly packed snow, rather than a risky surface, or as you say, snow on grass (very nice and grippy!)> and the ice cleats, or crampons or whatever they're called, $8 on Amazon well-spent!
A number of years ago, I was going from my car to the mall. It had been a few days since we had snow, so I felt safe getting out to do some shopping. I saw a small patch of water but didn't think much about it. The next thing I knew, I was flat on my back. There was ice under the water. Thankfully, I didn't get hurt. The day before, I had washed my coat, so it was fluffed up. Also, years ago, when in the service, I took Judo, so I had learned the safe way to fall. Everything happened so fast I didn't have time to think. I'm thankful I did not get hurt. I was in my early 70s. I'm very careful about ice and water. I enjoy watching your programs and appreciate your information and humor. Eleanor in Kansas
So glad that you didn't get hurt. As you pointed out, falls happen within a blink of an eye and, very, very rarely is it possible to plan out strategies for a "safer" fall, trained or not! 99.99% of the time people report it as, "the next second and before I realized it, I was on the ground"!
It can feel like a bother to put grippers on your boots if it's slippy outside. I have one pair of boots that always have the grippers on so I am not tempted to try to go out when it's slippery with regular boots. I like to walk with knees bent, slow shuffly steps, and I lean a bit forward because if I fall I don't want to fall backwards and whack my head. A concussion can be really serious. I'd rather break a wrist. I'm almost 70 and haven't fallen for decades. I grew up in Quebec so I learned early on how to navigate in snow and ice.
And I never keep my hands in my pockets so I can break my fall. Years ago I had my hands in my pockets and tripped on a piece of sidewalk that had been raised up by tree roots. I bruised and scraped up my chin, but even worse, the frame of my eyeglasses rebounded into my face and blackened both my eyes and cheekbones.
One pair of grippers I have has metal things that aren't retractable (like the doc's wife has) and I almost fell backward and whacked my head hard while (cluelessly?) wearing them into a grocery store. I caught myself somehow, by the bananas. Take those off, everyone, by the entrance door or you'll be likely to skate/fly and get hurt.
Timely, I fell a few days ago taking trash to the curb on ice. I foolishly wore flip flops which are like skis on water or ice. What surprised me was how fast it happened. Normally if I fall it seems to happen in slow motion, not this time. I fell and my shoulders hit first and then the back of my head hit the driveway asphalt. For a moment I really thought I was a goner, then I worried about brain bleed. Fortunately I’m still here.
Instead of salt, sand, or other ice melt products, go to a feed store and get large bags of CHICKEN GRIT. It’s essentially small bits of rock or gravel and won’t damage the environment or harm pets. It provides excellent grip on ice and sweeps away in the spring.
I live in Muskoka and the extra snow and ice caught us out when we first moved up here. My driveway is long and steep and my husband put down salt on the walk to my car. Unfortunately he didn't put any behind my car and when I went to open the trunk I fell and tore my rotator cuff. It took months to heal and we now use salted sand so that we can easily see the patches that are slippy.
Thank you. My husband and I walk our dogs 2xs a day. We are in our 70's and we got some of those spikey things that you attach to your shoes/boots. And we each put them on a pair of the boots that are just for the icy slippery days. That way we don't have to take them off. We have other boots with good tread that we where otherwise. Best winter idea we've ever had! :) Also, I try to walk an hour every day, but when it gets cold, snowy, and icy and even after a few days, the intersections are treacherous and almost every driveway has ice from being packed down. So I walk slow and careful and always choose cement or snow on the sides of the road/sidewalks/driveways. And also, don't look all around unless you have safe footing. :)
Good advice, with illustrations. I have a story about ice. Not walking on it, but skiing on it. Don't do it. My daughter and I were cross country skiing and there was a hill to go down. It said :"Expert skiers only". We were good skiers, but I don't know about expert. Anyway, you could choose to bypass the hill, but we wanted to do the hill. Got to the top and looked down. It was solid ice. No snow at all, just ice. There was a guy at the top of this hill also and he said, "I'm an expert skier and I would not go down this hill with all the ice". We figured we could do it, so we went down. Halfway down, we went out of control. There's no control when skiing on ice. Head over heels we went, not once, but many times till we got to the bottom and stopped. So, so fortunate that we didn't break any bones, but were covered with bruises the next day and not feeling so well. Lesson learned the hard way. Very hard.
Love the common sense suggestions for avoiding falls. Another good one is core exercise as it helps if you’re somewhat physically fit and you can balance yourself better on the snow and ice
I didn't fall on ice but a slippery rock while hiking and fractured 2 ribs. It was uncomfortable for a few weeks but not terrible. Thanks for the great advice! Happy new year to you and your families.
Don't ever get comfortable with ice. Atlanta ice, North Texas ice ...so wicked! Cannot walk on that stuff no matter what you put on your feet. Penguin walking doesn't work either. Just slide across the parking lot on your butt is my advice. 😂
I walk on the snow in the grass like Dr. Zalzal mentioned, and avoid the sloped driveway. Over 50 years ago, my mother & her sister said they should invent something like removable shoe spikes. Too bad they didn't, but it's good someone else did. And you're both right, who cares what you look like - heck, I still put the empty bread bags inside my lined boots to keep my feet warm, like our mothers told us when we were kids!
I was just telling my husband yesterday about using sandwich bread bags in our boots as kids in the 60's in upstate NY to keep our feet dry Great memories of hours outside 😊
I have fallen regularly over the years, never broke anything. Not even last year when I was 82, I was amazed I didn't even have a bruise! Then a few months ago I find out that I have osteoporosis, so now I do my walking in the long corridor of my building. Back-and-forth back-and-forth, 20 minutes at a time, three times a day. I also bought a car so I don't have to walk to the supermarket which used to be my favourite exercise.
Thanks for telling us about this. We just had a major winter storm here in the sunny South [USA] with ice and 4" of snow on top. We simply stayed in for days. I fell on ice once when we lived in Salt Lake City and I was lucky not to get hurt. My backpack broke my fall a bit. But my best ice story was when I worked at the University Of UT library in 2002? and we got a record snow of 24" in 24 hours. The University didn't close, so those with leave took it. I spent the day answering phones from people who were taking leave. It took 5 hours to get to work on the bus, so I was late getting there, and 4 hours to get home. But, when coming down 2 stories' worth of concrete steps with iron pipe railing on one side, I lost my grip on the rail. I was like a cartoon of someone bouncing from step to step while on their feet! I slid on each step until I got down every step from top to bottom and I was still on my feet! If I had gotten hurt, I would probably not be here because the place was totally deserted on this side of the library! To this day I don't know how I stayed on my feet and didn't fall to my death. The wide concrete plaza in front of this library iced every year numerous times and staff always had broken wrists from that. The University was slow to get de-icer to that plaza, time after time. By the way, we don't agree with the maniacs wanting to annex Canada. Our politics have gone insane and I don't think the majority of us common people want to take over other innocent countries. I've visited Canada three times and love y'all!
Correction - our politics WERE insane when this outgoing Administration was in charge. Thank God sanity will be restored to the White House now. Just hope and pray all the damage done by the incompetents is reversible!
While rushing to a fitness class, I slipped on black ice & broken my fibula, separated my ankle and tore out ligaments. I had surgery, metal plate & screws inserted, and was completely immobile for weeks. I am much more careful now! I have several pair of cleats.
I slipped once on some black ice on an incline. Feet flew out from under me and I went airborne like I was trying to do a plank, came down and hit the back of my head. I thought for a second my head would surely be split open. No harm done though but that's sound I don't ever want to hear again, my noggin on a hard surface!
Same thing! Going down neighbor's sloped driveway after dinner. Suddenly was looking up at the night stars. Airborne like Charlie Brown, dreading the landing that was to come. Slow motion dread! Landed on my back and hit my head. My thigh landed on a frozen chunk of ice like a sharp rock left by the snowplow. I lay there trying to determine if anything was broken. Thank God I was okp, just bruised up. Down parkas are essential!
I broke my arm when i was about 9-10yrs old. I was skiing and fell on an icy bit of the slope. I didn’t know my arm was broken so i kept skiing until the end of the day. It was only when i returned from the slope that i realised my arm was hurting. Trip to hospital, x- ray, arm cast and sling was what followed. I was so happy because it was my right arm and i am right handed so i was looking forward to going back to school and not being able to write 😁. I was back skiing the next day, I couldn’t hold the ski poles but it didn’t stop me. This was back in 80’s. No fractures since then, thankfully.
I slipped on ice in Ann Arbor a couple of years ago while attending a bridal shower. I hit my head on the pedal of an e-bike. Hurt like crazy. Still had to drive home almost an hour away alone. Should’ve probably gone to the ER but didn’t.
Walk like a penguin. Some old timer told me when I first moved to the land of ice and snow. Worried about not looking cool? Laying on the ground or having to deal with a cast, crutches, or a cane isn’t so cool either…and it’s EXPENSIVE!! Penguins know something about walking on ice.
Ugg type shearling boots are horrible on ice. I fell wearing them walking on sloped ice covered grass and broke my wrist, needed surgery, got a plate and 13 screws and physical therapy and months and months later I have use of my wrist again, but it was an awful time of recovery.
Didn’t slip and fall on ice…but inside in my own kitchen. I slipped on my just rescued puppy’s pee just hours after bringing him home. Spiral fracture of my right tibia. Ever since then, I walk through the kitchen with so much tension. That break was probably the worst pain I’ve ever had…and I’ve had two babies and 5 kidney stones! 😂
I loved your video! I had a fall 2 years ago but not on ice! 😊 I was parked next to a small traffic island, about 18 inches across, which was separating the parking space from the roadway in a car park. I opened the passenger door to put my shopping and handbag into the car, stepped back to close the door, forgetting I was standing on the little island, and found myself falling! I had stepped off the island! I managed to kind of roll as I landed and as I was wrapped up in a huge padded coat I didn’t hurt myself….. very fortunate as I’m an older lady and have osteoporosis! Some very kind ladies came along and helped me up! Last year our son-in-law fell while playing indoor soccer and fractured his wrist! A few weeks later our daughter followed suit! She decided to stand on a chair to video the bride and groom dancing at a wedding she was attending…. Yes , lost her balance and fractured her wrist! They both required ORIF’s and now have matching scars but on different wrists! Not always the ice!! 😀💕
Last year was so icy, I started walking my dog during the day and tried to avoid sidewalks. I slipped on sidewalks several times but managed not to fall. I realised that I'd rather have gloves on in case I do fall. 😊
Four years ago, I thought there was water on the sidewalk, it was ice. Sat down really hard and fractured my pelvis and strained my groin. I am getting those add on grippy things. Thanks. You guys are entertaining too!
I stepped off a curb and sprained my ankle pretty badly. I got distracted and turned to look at something while stepping off the sidewalk which proved to be a bad decision. Esp since it was in downtown Toronto in the winter. So always look when you step off the curb.
I Winter out in Hawaii. Very nice learning curve. I fell a couple of years ago, not on ice, and I'm challenged on my left side for ever. Be careful out there boys and girls.
2003. I had a 3-week old baby, a toddler (almost 2) and two older kids in school. I slipped on black ice and KABOOM. The people right behind me were an EMT and an ER Nurse. They saw me hit my head and would not let me get up. Long story short: I fractured my sacrum bone. 22 years later and the backs of my legs are either totally numb or, perversely, on FIRE. I don't think they are healing any time soon. LOL!
My fall happened just taking recyclables out... wrong foot wear in a hurry.. and it had been wet the day before.. temp drop light dusting of snow... it was serious as i cracked a rib and ended up in hospital with a chest tube 4 days later with a delayed hemothorax... listen to the advice, slow down and take your time
Very appropriate timing-we just had our first measurable snowfall of the new year here in northern Colorado. Two years ago this month, I fell going out to get the morning paper. Ol’ Dummy here was in my bathrobe wearing my slippers, which do not have good traction on ice. I crashed down on my right hip, doing what my orthopod told me was a “bruise to the bursa”-fortunately not a break. I lay there for a few moments, wondering if any of my neighbors saw me lying in the snow at the curb. The upshot of it is that my hip still hurts at times, two years later. I can’t imagine what would have happened had I broken it. So you can bet that I do not go onto slippery surfaces in my slippers or any other non-traction footwear. At my age (81), I’m still very mobile, but I don’t want to become immobile. ‘Taint worth it. I have too many friends my age who have to use canes, walkers, or even wheel chairs, and I don’t want to join them.
Northern Minnesotan here and veteran of ice related broken ribs (twice). When walking down a hill, it seems intuitive to lean backwards. Don't! If your feet slip out from under you, you'll land on your back. I was lucky. Last winter, a coworker of my daughter fell on ice and hit his head. He died a couple of days later. Also, be carefull of the type of shoes you wear. I have a pair of hiking shoes that look like they would be great in winter. But the tread is actually quite slippery and the shoes are not good on ice. Look for sticky type soles (kind of a gum rubber?). Take care out there.
Ice melt alternative: I once read advice from a Scandinavian to use small pine bark mulch chips. I tried it and it works well. As the ice melts, the wood floats, so if it refreezes, it mostly stays on top. And you can always add more. Then come spring, just sweep it off into the bushes or the yard.
I have walking sticks for hiking and I use one to get to and from my car on icy, snowy days. I’m only using one because I’m carrying my work tote in my other hand - held low at my side to reduce my center of gravity. Makes me look like a little old lady, but that’s okay - I am a little old lady!
@@JanisOnTheFarmette One walking stick don't give you a god balance 👎- lake a cane . You need both hands to be free. Put you work tote on your shoulder and across your body . That is what I do 😘
My aunt in Cape Breton mailed me 2 screws, one for each sole, to avoid falling (never put, I've oak floors), I think she also had chains on her wheels, hubby's hybrid sports studs!
The worst is a parking lot. I fell last week. It happened fast. Thankfully I had a puffy coat on. I got a bruise on my forearm. I had winter running tights on. It really helped with protecting my legs. And since I do push ups I was able to roll over and get up without falling again. I’m 59 and I do functional fitness with cardio. The functional fitness helps with balance. I was able to roll as I was hitting the ground. But I didn’t even think about it. It felt involuntary.
I broke a wrist while skiing. I was showing someone how to navigate a small jump. I leaned too far forward and down I went. I tried to catch myself by putting my hands out in-front of me. I had ski poles on my hands and my left hand didn't go into the snow - it stayed on the surface and my wrist bent backwards. The funny part was, I went to my vehicle after realizing I'd broken my wrist. Put my ski poles in the vehicle. Stuffed snow in my left jacket pocked and shoved my now swollen hand into the pocket. It was mid-day and I was determined to get my money's worth out of my lift ticket. I did finish skiing that day - then went to the ER where they put a small cast on my wrist/hand/forearm.
I had a could-have-been-bad slip-and-fall last winter, so this summer I took some measures to make it safer outside of my house, which is built into a hillside, so wraparound decks, porch, stairs, etc. Analyzed risks and realized the most dangerous spots were where I changed speed, direction, elevation, or footing, and the more of these factors intersected, the greater the risk. I ended up putting up four grab bars, like the kind made for bathrooms, where I felt I needed something to make it safer. I struggled with the idea, because it seemed so fussy/overcautious, but I absolutely love them and use them even when there's no snow or ice underfoot. I found black grab bars that blend in and don't look intrusive. I also--again, having to overcome reluctance to do so--decided to put up a railing along the front of the house where I have a long, covered porch that gets ice and snow on the walking surface. I went as far as buying the brackets and the railing, but didn't get the project finished. Can't tell you how many times this winter I wished I'd gotten that up. Priority project, and it will be up next winter. Kind of funny that I had to overcome my reluctance to put those safety features on the outside of the house, and now I wonder why everyone doesn't do it.
January 22 2022 I was opening a gate at work. The gate was on a hill. Well you know where this is going. Lost my footing ended up at the bottom of the hill on the roadside with a broken hip. Time goes on…
Spikes are deadly when going from ice to plain concrete or going into a tiled store. You will fall for sure. Spikes are useless unless you have consistent ice.
I’m going to watch this again for the humor. Funniest yet. lol. But all so relevant to Missouri r/n. I have permanent injuries to both knees/plus osteoarthritis. Last year started a regiment of exercise and have lost some weight and strengthened muscles significantly; either that or lose my mobility. But if going out in this this recent weather, I wear my snow boots, and take those small shuffle steps and hold onto one of my adult children if they are available. So if I go down, they do too. lol. Seriously, over this past year, I have been using walking stick for balance (they came with different feet for different terrain.). I want TKR for both knees over this next year. I’m embracing 61 and moving forward!
I wish I would have found this before Christmas Eve. I face planted coming out of our local restaurant. I was blessed by no broken anything but my pride. Took two weeks for the bruising on my nose and cheeks.
I teach the seniors in my fitness classes to walk like a penguin when in ice. We practice during balance and stability class. I use this technique when snow hiking.
I live in Minnesota. I really need to walk the dog every day. On 12/21, I took a chance and walked without Yak Trax on my boots. I slipped on the ice and fell and sprained my knee. Lesson learned.
One tip I learned from alpine skiing - if you DO find yourself falling don’t fight it! Just let it happen and try to relax. I’ve actually had people practice this when I was a ski instructor. Try to go limp. If you fight it and stiffen up or put out a hand or a wrist to stop your fall you will very likely get injured. I’ve fallen twice so far this year on ice but no major injuries. I did have a little soft tissue soreness though 😊 plus a slightly bruised ego.
For me, being aware of where surfaces get the most sun exposure is a key consideration. For example, the south side of an east-west street could be in shadow most of the day and quite slick, while the north side might be frost-free. And you can anticipate some slick spots around trees, etc.
I use spikes as I walk the dogs...I have been surefooted when the dogs were scrambling for grip. I also avoid the sidewalk or packed path to get more grip.
24 years ago today, walking out to my sister's car to go to school in the morning, slipped on ice and broke my right tib/fib. Had surgery that evening. Crutches for 3 months, cast for 4.
@@Joy21090 I did break my leg on my grandparents anniversary. Grandpa passed a year and a half ago, but Grandma is still with us. Today would have been their 70th anniversary. They came down to see me (3 hour drive) when they found out I was going to have surgery. I remember Grandpa saying they both had stuff they had to do that day, but didn't want to, so I was their excuse for getting out of those things.
If you feel your feet slide out in front of you put your chin to your chest. This helps prevent striking the back of your head. I had been given this advice and months later somehow recalled it when slipping on black ice. The landing was sudden but with my upper back only which took the force without injury. I recall lying there amazed I had remembered the advice and avoided injury. Chin to chest. It works.
If you have tile floors in wet areas (Laundry/bathroom and even kitchen), then don't walk around with bare feet. Put down some water absorbing mats too. Get some decent house shoes/slippers that only stay in the house and ALWAYS wear them. Good gripping shoes will stop you from the Tibia Plateau Fracture I ended up with back in 2022. Still not back to 100%, but I hope to be soon. I am able to walk/drive, etc without walker or wheelchair.
Growing up in Scandinavia eons ago, we always had 4 large wide rubber bands in our pockets. Slide two bands just behind the toes and two from the ankle down to the heel. Worked like a charm on any kind of shoes.
That's a great idea!
Thank you, I will use this!
they don’t snap in the cold???
@@SAELIOSMUSIC no I have never had that happen to me and they give excellent traction :)
@@BrittaStorm57 I am buying some rubber bands to do this
I was walking down an alley a couple of days ago. There was a garbage truck doing its job. I figured I could squeeze by - on ice. I got near the truck, lost my footing and face planted. The driver didn't see me and started backing up the truck. I thought I was going to die, literally. Fortunately, after a couple of tries I managed to get back on my feet. Scraped the hell out of my hands and knees, but didn't die under the wheels of a garbage truck. That's why I'm watching.
Wow that’s very scary. Hope you are ok
That’s terrifying!
@@TalkingWithDocs Yup, and that's why I was here seeing how I can prevent a repeat performance. 😁
You poor thing! Blessings.
😮😮😮😮😮
Over 30 years ago I told my husband that I had slipped and fallen on black ice on our driveway. He was incredulous and wanted me to show him where I had fallen - when I showed him I fell again in the same place. He was so apologetic and I’ve never let him forget😂
That was a great story, thanks.
I was walking to the bus a few years ago and I said to myself I have a pair if shoes exactly like those, and they were my shoes, with my feet still in them.
@@marclawson2536This made me laugh so hard!
😂
I discovered an article about socks over shoes for ice, a study in New Zealand, about 15 years ago in The Guardian.
I have done my own experiments for over ten years on ice and snow in real life situations. Wool or synthetic or cotton socks, an older pair, or even a combination, pulled over whatever shoes or boots or sneakers, preferably the whole shoe, but even just the front end up to the ankle. Amazing traction on ice. Walk with balanced weight slightly forward but not straight upright. Excellent on ice and snow. But when exiting the ice onto tile or polished surfaces the socks will be slippery like a wet mop. So take them off on those surfaces. In a pinch you could even just take your shoes off and walk in your socks if the distance is not too far. You will have great traction. Don’t be overconfident and still use your common sense. So only for ice. Excellent when I need to shovel snow or chop and break up ice even on a relatively steep incline. Try it yourself. You can find a few articles and videos about it. So called old school before all the fancy and expensive footwear that on slippery icy surfaces don’t work as well as socks over the same footwear. Try it yourself and you will see how effective it is. I now keep at least one pair or two in the car for an unexpected ice event. And don’t worry about how you look because no one is looking at you because they are too busy looking at themselves. You will not fall on your ass but others who are too shy to try it may. Stay healthy. Don’t fall on your ass or your head or break and arm or leg or shoulder. If your experience confirms mine and you really do walk more safely with socks over your shoes then share with your family and friends. Good luck. George of New York City.
Nice George
Last winter I slipped on ice in a fraction of a second when I was rolling my trash can to the street down our long steep driveway. I always attached ice cleats to my shoes - but NOT this time!! (Never again!) I fell flat on my back. It knocked the wind out of me. I couldn’t breathe in! I didn’t break anything, but I was in incredible pain in my chest, and even in front of my chest where I didn’t fall! I couldn’t sleep well for days, and the terrible pain lasted for an ENTIRE MONTH. This year I am so paranoid about falling on ice. I always wear my ice cleats, but even with that I am mindful every moment. Please never forget that we have such fragile bodies! Be SAFE out there!!
Doc on the left with so many cultural musical references. What likable guys you are!
Thanks guys I've nver broken anything, but have come real close.
My girl friend at the time, now wife for many years , and I were to get together for New Years Eve. She went out to buy special groceries for our dinner. On the way home she slipped on the ice causing a fracture. I received a phone call from her sister, who I didn't know at the time informing me she was in Wellesley hospital in Toronto {goes way back) being treated for a broken arm. Not to be discouraged, I went to the hospital, bottle of champagne and two glasses in hand to console her. The nurses informed me she had gone home, but I could share the bottle with them. She being a head nurse herself was not having anything to do with a hospital on New Years Eve. I thanked the nurses, appologized for not leaving the bottle and continued to her apartment where I found her sitting on the couch sad faced with an arm sling that looked like it was applied by someone cross eyed. Being familiar with emergency first aid myself I fixed her sling, poured her a strong beverage and fixed us some eats. Happy ending. This is now our unofficial first aniversary. Happy New Years. Cheers!
@@Humpflicks what an amazing and incredible story I love it!
That is true love 💕
Enjoyed reading your great story! Cheers!
This is the best story well done
Fall like a foot ball player! I was once walking on ice behind a guy who hit the ground and rolled. Stood up, dusted himself off and kept on walking. I was impressed!🏈
Love that
When the fall is all there is, it matters how you fall. This is the same as falling like a snow skier, assume you are going to slip and be prepared to slide. If you are going to fall, try to fall to your side and do not stick out your hands to avoid a wrist/Colles fracture but fall on your hip/shoulder.
“Prince Richard: [the sons - in the dungeon - think they hear Henry II approach] He's here. He'll get no satisfaction out of me. He isn't going to see me beg.
Prince Geoffrey: My you chivalric fool... as if the way one fell down mattered.
Prince Richard: When the fall is all there is, it matters.
From "The Lion in Winter" When Richard, Geoffrey and John were locked in the dungeon and Henry II was coming down to execute them.
I fell on my sidewalk this fall and didn't slip or trip on anything. Just turned my head to the right and boom. Fell on my right side. Now I have trouble with my right hip. Guess I don't need ice to fall!
Or like a contemporary dancer. With all the floor work, rolling over and getting up barely having touched the ground becomes second nature! 😆
I had slippery brick steps and bushes around the porch. I slipped stepping down and landed between the bushes and the porch. The bush broke my fall, my back missed the edge of the concrete porch. So from the street you could see my legs were sticking in the air from behind the bush. I was fine but I was folded up and my fit was so tight I couldn’t even move sideways. The bushes and snow muffled my distress. Fortunately the guy across the street could see me from the upstairs and I met him for the first time as he came to my aid.. I was glad I wasn’t wearing a skirt.
I just laughed so hard I peed. I’m so sorry.
I do the thing one of the drs mentioned….walking just off the sidewalk…I feel more surefooted.
Yes
any time you can walk on snow, particularly if it's snow on top of grass, rather than an icy surface like a driveway - you have so much more traction!
Me too!
I get mocked for walking slowly on ice. Thanks for backing me up. I fell a couple of years ago and hurt my shoulder (and that wasn't even ice related) ... took almost a year, including some physio finally to get back to normal. Falling isn't fun.
Huh. He or she who laughs last.... What immature people. Perhaps karma will catch up with them.
Same … I fell and broke my ankle badly after simply stepping out my front door. You never feel as safe walking after a horrible accident.
I fell on the ice, my forward foot carried on sliding forward and I ended up doing the splits on the ground. When I managed to hobble home I realised I had pulled muscles and had bruises on my legs. My hip felt dislocated! I couldn't walk for 3 days. Not only that but all the people in cars saw me do it, so embarrassing
pull a pair of socks over your shoes. Instant traction. No falls. Well maybe falls but not from slips on ice.
Wow. Falling can literally be deadly. Be safe and take all the time you need.
End of a family Christmas visit. Short, steep driveway. Black ice. One person slipped going down the driveway and took out two others who had already made it safely down. Other helpers fared no better. It looked like a bowling alley with all the pins going down. Funny and awful at the same time. The slipping and sliding and people clutching on to one another seemed to go on forever. Oldest person taken to ER with a broken wrist. A Christmas night to remember....
I feel horrible for laughing, but you are a great story-teller!
Sorry Elle..I did laugh I know I shouldn't and I hope everyone is OK and I still go to heaven 🙏 peace, love n harmony from Manchester 🇬🇧
That's quite the visual! Steep driveways and cold climates are a terrible combination!
I walk daily and just a few days ago, I went down on the ice. It was in the teens Fahrenheit...bitter cold, so I was really bundled and warm. Everything was covered except my eyes. The problem was, I was so bundled, I couldn't watch my feet and my glasses fogged up. So my advice is....keep an eye on you where your feet are going. No breaks but sore right arm (It caught the brunt of the fall)and hip. Thank goodness, I'm 73. I am in good physical shape, that saved me. Thanks for the video!
@@kathyradic3368 that’s great and I respect your exercise routines. I’m 10 years younger and I used to run. I live in a neighborhood but I have to get in the car and go to the park by the streets are so potholed once it snows you don’t know where they are. After 3 falls and my friend broke her wrist so now I look for dirt trails if I can.
@lynnschaeferle-zh4go Definitely, dirt trails are better. We do have potholes in my small town and raised sidewalks as a result of old tree roots. Tripping and falling hazards. We do have a nice trail, though, and a park along the river. The worst injury I had was when I tripped on a raised sidewalk. I learned to be very cautious of those. Take care and stay safe.
I have to take my glasses off when I'm outside in the winter. They fog up when I have a scarf on.
I'm really nearsighted but I can see well enough to see where I'm going.
These guys are the Car Talk of doctors. Thank you! ❤❤
I worked as an RN on an Orthopedic Unit for 20 years and this time of year was our bread and butter. Always with multiple admissions for ankle, wrist, and hip fractures from falls on the ice and/or snow. The pain, incapacity, the surgeries, learning to walk with a cast and crutches or walker - absolutely terrible. Please be safe out there!
pull a pair of socks over the shoes - you won't fall
Although I have fallen on ice several times, thankfully I have not fallen recently, and have never broken a bone. As I get older, I am more careful about walking carefully in winter weather conditions.
I live on a small ranch/farm, and I have learned to toss hay or straw on the areas that tend to ice over. It provides good safe footing.
Cat litter works well, too.❤🐈⬛🐈
Thanks! I moved the chickens up to the garage during the last storm. I will just blow the straw out onto the frozen driveway!
@@eileenstasczak6606my go to as well!
That works great at home but if you’re out and about not possible :((
Hands down any ice gripping traction on winter boots helps 100%. Bought a pair of Icetrax a couple years ago and works like a charm. I get to walk outdoors more often now during the winter.
I keep a pair in the car and a pair at the entrance to my house. Significantly better than just boots!
They are amazing everyone laughed at me but always ask to borrow them…
IceTrax totally rock.
Love my IceTrax OUTSIDE. I wore them into a gas station to buy washer fluid and SLIPPED on the linoleum floor! Nothing broken except my pride.
I have crampons. They work quite well, although there are certain situations where just boots may be best.
I once came to the rescue of a woman who had fallen in the winter. She had good traction on the soles of her boots but had slipped on a piece of black ice no bigger than the size of her foot. She suffered a very bad break and was off work for months. Ever since then I have been Very cautious about walking in the winter, constantly scanning for possible ice underfoot.
Cletes, walking stick, shift weight forward off heals but mostly never think, " I'm only going a little way, it doesn't look that slick."
Walk like a penguin while walking on ice.
Yeah! Not like an Egyptian 😂
If they move too quick they're falling down like a domino.
Walk this way 👩🏼🦯➡️
Walk of life
😊yes!
Great advice. I broke a wrist on an icy sidewalk that looked harmless. Fell backward to avoid hitting my head, the wrist took the impact. As a fast walker I had to learn to slow down, and step firmly downward, rather than sliding the foot forward as I was doing. With five other bones (and the other wrist too) broken in falls, I've learned to take the safe route every time. Sometimes I walk in the cleared roadway to avoid icy sidewalks (looking for cars of course). Avoid that deadly gray ice! I even walk on lightly packed snow, rather than a risky surface, or as you say, snow on grass (very nice and grippy!)> and the ice cleats, or crampons or whatever they're called, $8 on Amazon well-spent!
Thank you for info bc I need to get them🙏🏻
I don't go out in the ice and snow generally. But my golf shoes have great spikes. They really help.
I learned that I needed to "ice skate" across a patch of ice. In order to get into the mood, I hum the "Blue Danube" waltz. Works every time
that’s amazing lol
A number of years ago, I was going from my car to the mall. It had been a few days since we had snow, so I felt safe getting out to do some shopping. I saw a small patch of water but didn't think much about it. The next thing I knew, I was flat on my back. There was ice under the water. Thankfully, I didn't get hurt. The day before, I had washed my coat, so it was fluffed up. Also, years ago, when in the service, I took Judo, so I had learned the safe way to fall. Everything happened so fast I didn't have time to think. I'm thankful I did not get hurt. I was in my early 70s. I'm very careful about ice and water. I enjoy watching your programs and appreciate your information and humor. Eleanor in Kansas
So glad that you didn't get hurt. As you pointed out, falls happen within a blink of an eye and, very, very rarely is it possible to plan out strategies for a "safer" fall, trained or not! 99.99% of the time people report it as, "the next second and before I realized it, I was on the ground"!
It can feel like a bother to put grippers on your boots if it's slippy outside. I have one pair of boots that always have the grippers on so I am not tempted to try to go out when it's slippery with regular boots. I like to walk with knees bent, slow shuffly steps, and I lean a bit forward because if I fall I don't want to fall backwards and whack my head. A concussion can be really serious. I'd rather break a wrist. I'm almost 70 and haven't fallen for decades. I grew up in Quebec so I learned early on how to navigate in snow and ice.
Yes, keep your weight forward!!! It's my number one method. Flat footed. And cut speed at least in half.
And I never keep my hands in my pockets so I can break my fall. Years ago I had my hands in my pockets and tripped on a piece of sidewalk that had been raised up by tree roots. I bruised and scraped up my chin, but even worse, the frame of my eyeglasses rebounded into my face and blackened both my eyes and cheekbones.
Ice grippers people! The best are Rips Grips sold in Canada and worldwide.
One pair of grippers I have has metal things that aren't retractable (like the doc's wife has) and I almost fell backward and whacked my head hard while (cluelessly?) wearing them into a grocery store. I caught myself somehow, by the bananas. Take those off, everyone, by the entrance door or you'll be likely to skate/fly and get hurt.
You don't want to break a wrist either, I did & have never been right since!!!
Timely, I fell a few days ago taking trash to the curb on ice. I foolishly wore flip flops which are like skis on water or ice. What surprised me was how fast it happened. Normally if I fall it seems to happen in slow motion, not this time. I fell and my shoulders hit first and then the back of my head hit the driveway asphalt. For a moment I really thought I was a goner, then I worried about brain bleed. Fortunately I’m still here.
Glad you’re ok. Flip flops 😉
Instead of salt, sand, or other ice melt products, go to a feed store and get large bags of CHICKEN GRIT. It’s essentially small bits of rock or gravel and won’t damage the environment or harm pets. It provides excellent grip on ice and sweeps away in the spring.
Love that! Thanks
You could just use cat litter too.
@@Brassy49erI used cat litter on my walkway before guests arrived BUT it was the clumping cat litter, what a mess!!
@ 🤣🤣🤣👍👍👍
@@Brassy49er we have, but it gets gooey and tracked into the house.
Those spikes work❤
What are they called & where can I get them, please ?🙏🏻
I live in Muskoka and the extra snow and ice caught us out when we first moved up here. My driveway is long and steep and my husband put down salt on the walk to my car. Unfortunately he didn't put any behind my car and when I went to open the trunk I fell and tore my rotator cuff. It took months to heal and we now use salted sand so that we can easily see the patches that are slippy.
Canadian here. Baby steps. Keep your centre of gravity under you. Instinctive to true Canadians. 🇨🇦
Thank you. My husband and I walk our dogs 2xs a day. We are in our 70's and we got some of those spikey things that you attach to your shoes/boots. And we each put them on a pair of the boots that are just for the icy slippery days. That way we don't have to take them off. We have other boots with good tread that we where otherwise. Best winter idea we've ever had! :) Also, I try to walk an hour every day, but when it gets cold, snowy, and icy and even after a few days, the intersections are treacherous and almost every driveway has ice from being packed down. So I walk slow and careful and always choose cement or snow on the sides of the road/sidewalks/driveways. And also, don't look all around unless you have safe footing. :)
In my younger years I always wanted to emigrate to Canada, love you guys you make me smile. Thanks for those tips.
Good advice, with illustrations. I have a story about ice. Not walking on it, but skiing on it. Don't do it. My daughter and I were cross country skiing and there was a hill to go down. It said :"Expert skiers only". We were good skiers, but I don't know about expert. Anyway, you could choose to bypass the hill, but we wanted to do the hill. Got to the top and looked down. It was solid ice. No snow at all, just ice. There was a guy at the top of this hill also and he said, "I'm an expert skier and I would not go down this hill with all the ice". We figured we could do it, so we went down. Halfway down, we went out of control. There's no control when skiing on ice. Head over heels we went, not once, but many times till we got to the bottom and stopped. So, so fortunate that we didn't break any bones, but were covered with bruises the next day and not feeling so well. Lesson learned the hard way. Very hard.
Golly. Hopefully the adrenaline rush raised your immunity levels for a while. Trying to see a positive here ☺
@@ClareHarrison-qi3bw - Thanks Clare, I think it did!
Love the common sense suggestions for avoiding falls. Another good one is core exercise as it helps if you’re somewhat physically fit and you can balance yourself better on the snow and ice
Yes the core and balance. Often neglected
Thanks for your comment!
I didn't fall on ice but a slippery rock while hiking and fractured 2 ribs. It was uncomfortable for a few weeks but not terrible. Thanks for the great advice! Happy new year to you and your families.
I have had these boots with spikes since many years . This year is my third pair . They are great - they work !
Thanks to everybody for the advice! I moved from Houston, Texas to Kentucky. I’m not comfortable with ice yet.
Don't ever get comfortable with ice. Atlanta ice, North Texas ice ...so wicked! Cannot walk on that stuff no matter what you put on your feet. Penguin walking doesn't work either. Just slide across the parking lot on your butt is my advice. 😂
I recently moved from Southern California to Northern Kentucky, so I'm getting used to the snow and ice like you.
I walk on the snow in the grass like Dr. Zalzal mentioned, and avoid the sloped driveway. Over 50 years ago, my mother & her sister said they should invent something like removable shoe spikes. Too bad they didn't, but it's good someone else did. And you're both right, who cares what you look like - heck, I still put the empty bread bags inside my lined boots to keep my feet warm, like our mothers told us when we were kids!
I was just telling my husband yesterday about using sandwich bread bags in our boots as kids in the 60's in upstate NY to keep our feet dry Great memories of hours outside 😊
Holding onto fences, rails, etc helps, as does using a walking stick or cane. Or snow shoes/winter poles-or even cross country skis
So glad you slipped that video in Gents, Be safe.
I have fallen regularly over the years, never broke anything. Not even last year when I was 82, I was amazed I didn't even have a bruise! Then a few months ago I find out that I have osteoporosis, so now I do my walking in the long corridor of my building. Back-and-forth back-and-forth, 20 minutes at a time, three times a day. I also bought a car so I don't have to walk to the supermarket which used to be my favourite exercise.
We had "Walk Like a Penguin" signs at OTMH at the staff entrances 😅 I haven't seen them this year.
Thanks for telling us about this. We just had a major winter storm here in the sunny South [USA] with ice and 4" of snow on top. We simply stayed in for days. I fell on ice once when we lived in Salt Lake City and I was lucky not to get hurt. My backpack broke my fall a bit.
But my best ice story was when I worked at the University Of UT library in 2002? and we got a record snow of 24" in 24 hours. The University didn't close, so those with leave took it. I spent the day answering phones from people who were taking leave. It took 5 hours to get to work on the bus, so I was late getting there, and 4 hours to get home. But, when coming down 2 stories' worth of concrete steps with iron pipe railing on one side, I lost my grip on the rail. I was like a cartoon of someone bouncing from step to step while on their feet! I slid on each step until I got down every step from top to bottom and I was still on my feet! If I had gotten hurt, I would probably not be here because the place was totally deserted on this side of the library! To this day I don't know how I stayed on my feet and didn't fall to my death. The wide concrete plaza in front of this library iced every year numerous times and staff always had broken wrists from that. The University was slow to get de-icer to that plaza, time after time.
By the way, we don't agree with the maniacs wanting to annex Canada. Our politics have gone insane and I don't think the majority of us common people want to take over other innocent countries. I've visited Canada three times and love y'all!
Correction - our politics WERE insane when this outgoing Administration was in charge. Thank God sanity will be restored to the White House now. Just hope and pray all the damage done by the incompetents is reversible!
While rushing to a fitness class, I slipped on black ice & broken my fibula, separated my ankle and tore out ligaments. I had surgery, metal plate & screws inserted, and was completely immobile for weeks. I am much more careful now! I have several pair of cleats.
I slipped once on some black ice on an incline. Feet flew out from under me and I went airborne like I was trying to do a plank, came down and hit the back of my head. I thought for a second my head would surely be split open. No harm done though but that's sound I don't ever want to hear again, my noggin on a hard surface!
Same thing! Going down neighbor's sloped driveway after dinner. Suddenly was looking up at the night stars. Airborne like Charlie Brown, dreading the landing that was to come. Slow motion dread! Landed on my back and hit my head. My thigh landed on a frozen chunk of ice like a sharp rock left by the snowplow. I lay there trying to determine if anything was broken. Thank God I was okp, just bruised up. Down parkas are essential!
Those ice falls always happen when least expected.... and usually hurt way more than anticipated. 🤣
I broke my arm when i was about 9-10yrs old. I was skiing and fell on an icy bit of the slope. I didn’t know my arm was broken so i kept skiing until the end of the day. It was only when i returned from the slope that i realised my arm was hurting. Trip to hospital, x- ray, arm cast and sling was what followed. I was so happy because it was my right arm and i am right handed so i was looking forward to going back to school and not being able to write 😁. I was back skiing the next day, I couldn’t hold the ski poles but it didn’t stop me. This was back in 80’s. No fractures since then, thankfully.
I slipped on ice in Ann Arbor a couple of years ago while attending a bridal shower. I hit my head on the pedal of an e-bike. Hurt like crazy. Still had to drive home almost an hour away alone. Should’ve probably gone to the ER but didn’t.
Fell on the ice in front of our towns park, landed on my knee, had a bump on the knee ever since. That was over a decade ago.
I recommend using a ski pole, three points of contact for extra stability.
Walk like a penguin. Some old timer told me when I first moved to the land of ice and snow. Worried about not looking cool? Laying on the ground or having to deal with a cast, crutches, or a cane isn’t so cool either…and it’s EXPENSIVE!! Penguins know something about walking on ice.
Ugg type shearling boots are horrible on ice. I fell wearing them walking on sloped ice covered grass and broke my wrist, needed surgery, got a plate and 13 screws and physical therapy and months and months later I have use of my wrist again, but it was an awful time of recovery.
Didn’t slip and fall on ice…but inside in my own kitchen. I slipped on my just rescued puppy’s pee just hours after bringing him home. Spiral fracture of my right tibia. Ever since then, I walk through the kitchen with so much tension. That break was probably the worst pain I’ve ever had…and I’ve had two babies and 5 kidney stones! 😂
Ouch!!!
I loved your video! I had a fall 2 years ago but not on ice! 😊 I was parked next to a small traffic island, about 18 inches across, which was separating the parking space from the roadway in a car park. I opened the passenger door to put my shopping and handbag into the car, stepped back to close the door, forgetting I was standing on the little island, and found myself falling! I had stepped off the island! I managed to kind of roll as I landed and as I was wrapped up in a huge padded coat I didn’t hurt myself….. very fortunate as I’m an older lady and have osteoporosis! Some very kind ladies came along and helped me up!
Last year our son-in-law fell while playing indoor soccer and fractured his wrist! A few weeks later our daughter followed suit! She decided to stand on a chair to video the bride and groom dancing at a wedding she was attending…. Yes , lost her balance and fractured her wrist! They both required ORIF’s and now have matching scars but on different wrists! Not always the ice!! 😀💕
Last year was so icy, I started walking my dog during the day and tried to avoid sidewalks. I slipped on sidewalks several times but managed not to fall. I realised that I'd rather have gloves on in case I do fall. 😊
It’s also hard to keep your balance e when carrying things….see video above.
Yes!!!
Four years ago, I thought there was water on the sidewalk, it was ice. Sat down really hard and fractured my pelvis and strained my groin. I am getting those add on grippy things. Thanks. You guys are entertaining too!
Sand seems ok. Even walk with a pot of it and spread it as you walk. If not too far of course
Truly, you guys are too funny, which is great because you make everything interesting and memorable. Thank you !!!!!
Remember that Dr. Atkins slipped on the ice on his front walk and died from his head injury on the spot.
I stepped off a curb and sprained my ankle pretty badly. I got distracted and turned to look at something while stepping off the sidewalk which proved to be a bad decision. Esp since it was in downtown Toronto in the winter. So always look when you step off the curb.
Yes in the six. Be careful!
I Winter out in Hawaii. Very nice learning curve.
I fell a couple of years ago, not on ice, and I'm challenged on my left side for ever. Be careful out there boys and girls.
Very icy in UK right now. I have done all that was mentioned in video plus I take one of my hiking sticks. This really helps me feel more secure.
Hiking stick is very wise!
2003. I had a 3-week old baby, a toddler (almost 2) and two older kids in school. I slipped on black ice and KABOOM. The people right behind me were an EMT and an ER Nurse. They saw me hit my head and would not let me get up. Long story short: I fractured my sacrum bone. 22 years later and the backs of my legs are either totally numb or, perversely, on FIRE. I don't think they are healing any time soon. LOL!
Oh no that’s awful. Hope you are ok
My fall happened just taking recyclables out... wrong foot wear in a hurry.. and it had been wet the day before.. temp drop light dusting of snow... it was serious as i cracked a rib and ended up in hospital with a chest tube 4 days later with a delayed hemothorax... listen to the advice, slow down and take your time
Very appropriate timing-we just had our first measurable snowfall of the new year here in northern Colorado.
Two years ago this month, I fell going out to get the morning paper. Ol’ Dummy here was in my bathrobe wearing my slippers, which do not have good traction on ice. I crashed down on my right hip, doing what my orthopod told me was a “bruise to the bursa”-fortunately not a break. I lay there for a few moments, wondering if any of my neighbors saw me lying in the snow at the curb. The upshot of it is that my hip still hurts at times, two years later. I can’t imagine what would have happened had I broken it.
So you can bet that I do not go onto slippery surfaces in my slippers or any other non-traction footwear. At my age (81), I’m still very mobile, but I don’t want to become immobile. ‘Taint worth it. I have too many friends my age who have to use canes, walkers, or even wheel chairs, and I don’t want to join them.
Bathrobe + slippers = problem. And yea the bursa can nag on. Enjoy the snow!
I'm an orthopedic surgical RN, scrub and circulator. Preach!
Nice
Northern Minnesotan here and veteran of ice related broken ribs (twice). When walking down a hill, it seems intuitive to lean backwards. Don't! If your feet slip out from under you, you'll land on your back. I was lucky. Last winter, a coworker of my daughter fell on ice and hit his head. He died a couple of days later. Also, be carefull of the type of shoes you wear. I have a pair of hiking shoes that look like they would be great in winter. But the tread is actually quite slippery and the shoes are not good on ice. Look for sticky type soles (kind of a gum rubber?). Take care out there.
You guys are the best Period.
Baby steps and waddle like a penguin! Works well.
i moved to thailand so never worry too much about falling on ice
Nice!
I tried the ice cleats u affix to ur shoes. They work well on ice, but very slippery going into a store or business
That makes sense
Ice melt alternative:
I once read advice from a Scandinavian to use small pine bark mulch chips. I tried it and it works well. As the ice melts, the wood floats, so if it refreezes, it mostly stays on top. And you can always add more. Then come spring, just sweep it off into the bushes or the yard.
I've been seeing elderly people walking with ski poles ,this can be helpful 😉
Might actually be alpine walking poles. Look it up- physical therapists love em and there's lots of science! Big in Canada and Europe!
I have walking sticks for hiking and I use one to get to and from my car on icy, snowy days. I’m only using one because I’m carrying my work tote in my other hand - held low at my side to reduce my center of gravity. Makes me look like a little old lady, but that’s okay - I am a little old lady!
@@JanisOnTheFarmette One walking stick don't give you a god balance 👎- lake a cane . You need both hands to be free. Put you work tote on your shoulder and across your body . That is what I do 😘
@@JanisOnTheFarmette I have a backpack for this.
tell them to put socks OVER their shoes to walk on ice.
My aunt in Cape Breton mailed me 2 screws, one for each sole, to avoid falling (never put, I've oak floors), I think she also had chains on her wheels, hubby's hybrid sports studs!
The worst is a parking lot. I fell last week. It happened fast. Thankfully I had a puffy coat on. I got a bruise on my forearm. I had winter running tights on. It really helped with protecting my legs. And since I do push ups I was able to roll over and get up without falling again. I’m 59 and I do functional fitness with cardio. The functional fitness helps with balance. I was able to roll as I was hitting the ground. But I didn’t even think about it. It felt involuntary.
I broke a wrist while skiing. I was showing someone how to navigate a small jump. I leaned too far forward and down I went. I tried to catch myself by putting my hands out in-front of me. I had ski poles on my hands and my left hand didn't go into the snow - it stayed on the surface and my wrist bent backwards. The funny part was, I went to my vehicle after realizing I'd broken my wrist. Put my ski poles in the vehicle. Stuffed snow in my left jacket pocked and shoved my now swollen hand into the pocket. It was mid-day and I was determined to get my money's worth out of my lift ticket. I did finish skiing that day - then went to the ER where they put a small cast on my wrist/hand/forearm.
After multiple falls on ice over the years contributed to the break down of my hips and Si joints 😞
I had a could-have-been-bad slip-and-fall last winter, so this summer I took some measures to make it safer outside of my house, which is built into a hillside, so wraparound decks, porch, stairs, etc. Analyzed risks and realized the most dangerous spots were where I changed speed, direction, elevation, or footing, and the more of these factors intersected, the greater the risk. I ended up putting up four grab bars, like the kind made for bathrooms, where I felt I needed something to make it safer. I struggled with the idea, because it seemed so fussy/overcautious, but I absolutely love them and use them even when there's no snow or ice underfoot. I found black grab bars that blend in and don't look intrusive.
I also--again, having to overcome reluctance to do so--decided to put up a railing along the front of the house where I have a long, covered porch that gets ice and snow on the walking surface. I went as far as buying the brackets and the railing, but didn't get the project finished. Can't tell you how many times this winter I wished I'd gotten that up. Priority project, and it will be up next winter.
Kind of funny that I had to overcome my reluctance to put those safety features on the outside of the house, and now I wonder why everyone doesn't do it.
January 22 2022 I was opening a gate at work. The gate was on a hill. Well you know where this is going. Lost my footing ended up at the bottom of the hill on the roadside with a broken hip. Time goes on…
Just don’t go out then you won’t fall❤😊
Ha. Indeed. Not sure my boss will see it quite the same way.
Spikes are deadly when going from ice to plain concrete or going into a tiled store. You will fall for sure. Spikes are useless unless you have consistent ice.
Buy the rubber sole ice grips. Easy to put on and take off.
I’m going to watch this again for the humor. Funniest yet. lol. But all so relevant to Missouri r/n. I have permanent injuries to both knees/plus osteoarthritis. Last year started a regiment of exercise and have lost some weight and strengthened muscles significantly; either that or lose my mobility. But if going out in this this recent weather, I wear my snow boots, and take those small shuffle steps and hold onto one of my adult children if they are available. So if I go down, they do too. lol. Seriously, over this past year, I have been using walking stick for balance (they came with different feet for different terrain.). I want TKR for both knees over this next year. I’m embracing 61 and moving forward!
I wish I would have found this before Christmas Eve. I face planted coming out of our local restaurant. I was blessed by no broken anything but my pride. Took two weeks for the bruising on my nose and cheeks.
My mom had a cane with a nail in the bottom. It was for that purpose. Miss her and her unique ways of being.
I teach the seniors in my fitness classes to walk like a penguin when in ice. We practice during balance and stability class. I use this technique when snow hiking.
We're told to walk like a soldier at out job...used to be Penguin.
My son recommended this penguin walk to his 75 year old mother
I live in Minnesota. I really need to walk the dog every day. On 12/21, I took a chance and walked without Yak Trax on my boots. I slipped on the ice and fell and sprained my knee. Lesson learned.
Thank you ‼️‼️
I have the same pair of cleats in this video. They are amazing!! Best $10 I ever spent.
Where I live they cost $20.00
A lovely video. Truly ice is so scary as you start to age....but even the young folks should be thinking about it.
Yes we all should
Got some safety tips for walking in snow AND had a trip down music memory lane....🎶slow down youre movin too fast...🤗
One tip I learned from alpine skiing - if you DO find yourself falling don’t fight it! Just let it happen and try to relax. I’ve actually had people practice this when I was a ski instructor. Try to go limp. If you fight it and stiffen up or put out a hand or a wrist to stop your fall you will very likely get injured. I’ve fallen twice so far this year on ice but no major injuries. I did have a little soft tissue soreness though 😊 plus a slightly bruised ego.
For me, being aware of where surfaces get the most sun exposure is a key consideration. For example, the south side of an east-west street could be in shadow most of the day and quite slick, while the north side might be frost-free. And you can anticipate some slick spots around trees, etc.
I use spikes as I walk the dogs...I have been surefooted when the dogs were scrambling for grip. I also avoid the sidewalk or packed path to get more grip.
24 years ago today, walking out to my sister's car to go to school in the morning, slipped on ice and broke my right tib/fib. Had surgery that evening. Crutches for 3 months, cast for 4.
"Happy" anniversary? Lol!
@@Joy21090 I did break my leg on my grandparents anniversary. Grandpa passed a year and a half ago, but Grandma is still with us. Today would have been their 70th anniversary.
They came down to see me (3 hour drive) when they found out I was going to have surgery. I remember Grandpa saying they both had stuff they had to do that day, but didn't want to, so I was their excuse for getting out of those things.
@@BionicMilkaholic wow!
If you feel your feet slide out in front of you put your chin to your chest. This helps prevent striking the back of your head. I had been given this advice and months later somehow recalled it when slipping on black ice. The landing was sudden but with my upper back only which took the force without injury. I recall lying there amazed I had remembered the advice and avoided injury. Chin to chest. It works.
If you have tile floors in wet areas (Laundry/bathroom and even kitchen), then don't walk around with bare feet. Put down some water absorbing mats too. Get some decent house shoes/slippers that only stay in the house and ALWAYS wear them. Good gripping shoes will stop you from the Tibia Plateau Fracture I ended up with back in 2022. Still not back to 100%, but I hope to be soon. I am able to walk/drive, etc without walker or wheelchair.
Great work docs. A skiff of snow on smooth ice is treacherous. A broken hip is no fun at all.
Dislocated my shoulder at 18 from a fall, now I’m 36 and it’s been 2 years since my last dislocation event!