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Winter Walking

Winter can be a challenging time of year when out and about on foot.  Whether you walk to work or school or like enjoying a country walk on a crisp winter’s day, follow our tops tips to help keep you safe.

  • Be extremely careful as frost, ice and snow will make walking on footpaths very dangerous.
  • Remember that footpaths may not be treated so walk with extreme care.
  • Make sure you are wearing appropriate footwear, wear shoes or boots with appropriate traction.
  • Don’t walk with your hands in your pockets, walk with your hands out and wear gloves so you can break your fall if you do slip.
  • Avoid walking in the streets at all costs if possible. Remember, cars and trucks slip and slide, too! If it’s an emergency, and you can’t avoid the street, wear bright or reflective clothing.
  • If a journey cannot be avoided walk on a footpath, not in the street. If there are no footpaths walk on the right hand side of the road to face traffic coming towards you.
  • Visibility is reduced in snowy or freezing fog conditions so wear high visibility clothing. Consider carrying a torch.
  • Stay warm, but don’t impair your vision with scarves, hats, etc. This type of clothing could prevent you from spotting icy conditions that may lead to a fall.
  • Try to avoid carrying things while walking in icy or snowy conditions, as this can throw you off balance.
  • Avoid pushing young children in buggies/prams if at all possible. If you must push your child in buggies/prams on the ice, take great care and walk extremely slowly.
  • Snow and ice cause havoc quickly, so use extra caution when crossing roadways, and always cross at pedestrian crossings.
  • Ice can easily hide under a light dusting of snow. Just because you don’t see the ice doesn’t mean it’s not there waiting for your unsuspecting footfalls.
  • If you can’t avoid the ice and snow, bend your knees slightly and take slower, shorter steps to help reduce the chance of a slip and fall and an injury.
  • If forced to use the steps at someone’s home, apartment, or other public building, walk slow and take shorter steps when descending. The same is true of driveways and other hilly terrain; these areas can be very dangerous when they become slippery with ice or snow. Steps especially can be hard to clear and build up ice easily.

This safety advice is offered as guidance only.