Slippery situations can happen to anyone, anywhere, and at any time.

Whether you’re walking on a wet floor or a snowy sidewalk or driving on a slippery road, it’s always important to protect yourself from the possibility of injury or an accident. In this article, we highly recommend the best ways to protect yourself from slippery situations.

Wear the Proper Footwear

The type of footwear you choose can significantly impact your safety on slippery surfaces. It’s always important to choose shoes that have a good grip or traction on the soles.

Avoid shoes that don’t have good grip or are smooth on the bottom, like high heels and flip flops. Instead, look for shoes that have a good tread that can help you maintain your balance in slippery conditions.

If you live in an area where winter weather is common, choose boots with rubber soles, or purchase and attach add-on slip-resistant outsoles that can provide extra grip.

Walk Safely

When walking on a wet or slippery surface, you may need to adjust your walking style to avoid a fall. Walking slowly and carefully are two great ways to reduce the chances of slipping or losing your balance.

Always take shorter steps and try to keep your feet slightly wider than shoulder-width apart to improve your stability. Whenever possible, avoid shortcuts that may involve stairs or narrow, icy pathways. And always hold onto handrails, even if you think you don’t need them.

Light Up Your Way

Another way to protect yourself from slippery situations is to make sure you can see where you’re going. If you’re walking outside at night, carry a flashlight or wear reflective clothing or accessories.

This is especially important in the winter when it gets dark earlier in the day. If you’re inside, make sure the area you’re walking in is well-lit so that you can see any potentially hazardous areas.

Clean Up Spills Immediately

If you notice a spill on the floor, clean it up immediately. It doesn’t matter if it’s a small spill or a big one – it’s essential to take care of it as soon as possible.

Try to put up signs warning others of the potential slip and fall hazard until you can clean it up. Prompt cleaning can help reduce the risk of slipping and falling accidents or injuries to yourself or someone else.

Install Handrails and Grab Bars

Handrails and grab bars are safety devices that can prevent accidents in several areas of your home.

They provide additional stability and support in areas like stairways, bathtubs, and showers, which increases your safety when walking and moving around especially when it’s slippery. Install them in areas where you think you need extra support to avoid slips and falls.

Take Your Time When Driving

Driving on slippery roads can be dangerous, so it’s essential to take your time and adjust your driving habits at the first sign of inclement weather.

Reduce your speed, increase your following distance, and engage the appropriate traction control for your vehicle if it has one. Avoid sudden and jerky movements that can cause your car to skid or lose control.

Use Salt or Other Abrasive Materials

When winter weather arrives, use salt and other abrasive materials to increase traction and melt ice. Spread the material around the areas you’ll be walking on, including sidewalks, exterior stairs, and entryways.

Traction mats or Yaktrax are other tools that can also increase your grip and stability on slippery surfaces.

Be Mindful of Pets and Children

Both pets and children can become easily excited, which can lead to slips and falls on slippery surfaces. Teach your children to take their time when walking and running outside and how to avoid slippery areas.

Pets should be kept on a leash when walking outside, so you have control at all times. Additionally, keep in mind that pets’ paws can get caught in certain surfaces like ice or snow, so make sure to check their paws regularly and use booties to avoid injuries.

Maintain Proper Lighting and Good Housekeeping Practices

Finally, it’s hugely essential to maintain proper lighting and regular housekeeping around your home, especially in areas such as bathrooms, hallways, entryways, and stairways.

Fix any leaks or spills immediately and replace any burnt-out light bulbs to avoid creating potentially hazardous environmental situations. Keeping your home clean and bright will help you spot any potential hazards and take care of them before an incident occurs.

Conclusion

Slippery situations can happen to anyone, so it’s essential to take necessary precautions to protect yourself from accidents and injuries.

Whenever you find yourself in a situation where you’re dealing with ice, snow, rain, or other slippery surface, remember to wear the appropriate footwear that provides proper traction, take your time, hold on to handrails or other safety devices, and keep a close eye on children and pets. Remember, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure!.