Safety isn’t just about keeping walkways clear. Here are a dozen tips for what to keep in mind until spring.
When most people think about “winter safety” they envision dressing in layers to stay warm and driving with more caution. While those are both incredibly important, they aren’t the only safety considerations to keep in mind as the weather gets chilly. Here are 12 suggestions for enjoying the season safely:
1. Keep Your Hands Out
Even if you don’t have gloves or mittens handy, think twice before walking outside with your hands in your pockets—keeping them tucked away increases the risk of falling because you’re not able to correct your balance as quickly when you start to slip.
2. Go for Mittens
Gloves sure look fashionable, but donning mittens can actually save your life. With your fingers touching each other inside mittens, they generate more body heat than when they’re inside gloves. Be smart with your footwear, too, by wearing shoes or boots with non-slip soles.
3. Warm Up Before Shoveling
Before you tackle all the snow and ice at your workplace or home, do some warm-up moves first like dynamic stretches, marching in place, or even just walking for a couple minutes. When your muscles are warm, you can work more efficiently and reduce injury risk.
4. Skip the Coffee and Smokes
Before shoveling or doing any strenuous work, avoid caffeine and nicotine. They increase your heart rate and may cause your blood vessels to constrict.
5. Warm Up Your Vehicle
Before delivering goods or driving to work, warm up your vehicle to reduce the moisture condensation on the inside of your car windows. Remember, though, not to warm up your vehicle in a closed garage.
6. Report Damaged Lines
After a winter storm, immediately report any downed power lines or broken gas lines in your area or workplace. And of course, be sure to stay clear and make sure everyone around you is aware of the danger as well.
7. Get Your Car Ready
Before you get too far into the winter season, make sure your car has more than an oil change to be ready. Service the radiator and maintain the antifreeze level, check tire tread or, if necessary, replace tires with all-weather or snow tires.
8. Keep Your Tank Full
When vehicles are low on fuel and it’s very cold outside, ice can develop inside the tank and fuel lines. Avoid this risk by making sure to keep your tank full, especially on those chilly evenings when temperatures might drop below freezing.
9. Put Together a Winter Emergency Kit
Winter storms and vehicle trouble can often come without warning, leaving you stranded and waiting for help to arrive. Be ready for that kind of emergency with a fully packed kit in your car or truck that includes: portable charger, extra batteries, blanket, non-perishable food items like protein bars and water, flares, tire pump, booster cables, snow shovel, maps, compass, flashlight, battery-powered radio, first-aid supplies, and plastic bags.
10. Clear Snow and Ice
Even if the walkways are clear, be sure to look around at other places where snow and ice can be a problem, such as handrails, roofs, scaffolds, and curbs. Inspect overhead areas to make sure snow and ice has not accumulated. Use anti-slip materials like sand or salt to make walkways and parking lots less slippery. In areas where snow and ice tend to build up the most, make sure there is excellent lighting and clear signage.
11. Keep Shovels and Mittens Handy
To make snow clearing into a team effort, store shovels and gloves in areas where all personnel can locate them.
12. Inspect Ladders and Scaffolds
Before using ladders, ensure that they are completely free of ice, snow, and other materials that may cause slips or falls. Keep ladders and scaffolds maintained and protected from snow and ice by covering them before the end of the shift. For double protection, consider installing safety rails on higher areas, in case of ice buildup there.
What all these tips have in common are awareness and preparation. Keep on top of weather reports to know what’s coming, but be prepared for sudden changes as well. Most of all, stay aware of your surroundings, think about the type of extra measures you can take to keep yourself and others safe, and be proactive in implementing safety before an incident occurs, not after. That will go a long way toward letting you enjoy the season, no matter what it brings.