As soon as the sidewalks get slippery, emergency rooms in the UK and US see a big jump in falls. People rushing to work, kids rushing to school, and a single strip of black ice that isn’t visible can send anyone crashing to the ground.
Put on the right shoes for the weather, not the outfit.
Your shoes are the easiest way to stay upright. Fashion trainers with smooth leather soles act like skates on frozen sidewalks.Choose shoes that are strong and have deep treads and rubber soles that grip. Ankle boots that support and wrap around the ankle lower the chance of twisting your ankle when you slip a little.
Don’t think of winter shoes as just an accessory.
The color on top isn’t as important as the traction under your feet.Slip-on traction aids can help people who walk a lot. These are rubber or metal crampons that fit over your shoes and dig into hard-packed snow and ice. They don’t cost much, are easy to carry in a bag, and really help on long, icy commutes.
Some locals swear by a low-tech trick: putting thick sports socks over your winter boots. The fabric makes it harder to slide on ice. The socks will be ruined by the end of the day, but that’s better than breaking your wrist.
Don’t follow the shine; follow the snow.
Fresh snow, the kind that squeaks when you step on it, usually gives you better traction than shiny patches of hard ice.
If you can, choose a path that looks like it hasn’t been touched by people or cars, rather than one that has been flattened and frozen again.
Bright white snow that is a little crunchy is easier to walk on than dull, glassy surfaces where you can almost see a reflection.
But snow can hide things like potholes, kerbs, and uneven paving slabs. Move slowly, feel with your feet, and don’t step where you can’t tell how high the ground is, especially near the edge of sidewalks or on driveways.
Don’t walk like you’re late; walk like a penguin.
When you walk normally, your weight moves forward. This works on dry ground, but it can be dangerous on ice. A “penguin walk” that is safer changes how your weight moves.
How to walk like a penguin
For a strong base, keep your feet a little wider than normal.
Bend your knees a little and lower your center of gravity.
Bend your body a little forward so that your weight stays on your front foot.
Take small, flat steps and put your whole foot down at once.
Don’t pin your arms to your body; let them hang out to the sides for balance.
You might feel a little silly. People might stop staring at you once they see you stay upright while others slide.
Let go of your hands and balance your load.Tote bags, handbags, and briefcases all pull your body to one side. That extra drag can make you fall on an icy sidewalk.A backpack evenly distributes weight and keeps your center of gravity close to your spine. It also frees up both hands so you can hold on to railings, fences, or walls.Your hands help you balance and protect yourself on ice. Don’t put them in your pockets or shopping bags.If you have to carry groceries, put them in two smaller bags so you can balance each side. Don’t stack things so high that you can’t see the ground in front of you.Slow down and look ahead.Stability and speed don’t go together. If you rush for the bus or run to the office door, small slips can turn into big falls.
Take shorter steps and be careful where you put each foot.
Before putting all your weight down, gently test patches that look suspicious with your toe.Don’t just look at your shoes; keep your head up and your eyes on the road ahead. This helps your body get ready and find its balance before you hit the ice.Give yourself more time for any winter walk. A slow, calm walk is better than a quick, painful fall to the ground.
Don’t put your hands in your pockets.
When our fingers are cold, we want to bury them deep in our coat pockets. That one habit makes it more likely that you’ll get hurt badly.
You can’t balance as well when your hands are stuck. If you fall, your body might hit the ground hard before you can do anything to soften the blow.
Instead, put on gloves or mittens that keep your hands warm. This way, if you slip, you can swing your arms to keep your balance and throw them out to protect your head and torso.
Be careful about which side of the street you choose
On sunny winter days, one sidewalk often gets more sun than the other. That side usually thaws first and then freezes again.
If you can, walk on the sunny sidewalk. The ice can become softer even if the surface temperature only goes up a little.
| Surface | Typical grip level |
|---|---|
| Shady black ice | Very low |
| Sunlit, partly melted pavement | Medium |
| Fresh, unpacked snow | Medium to high |
In narrow alleys or under trees, the sun might not even touch the ground. In those places, choose fresh snow over shiny tracks, and be extra careful on steps. Stairs can hide sheets of ice that you can’t see under a thin layer of snow, especially near the edges and handrails.
Use walking sticks or other temporary supports
Extra support can make the difference between a safe walk and a trip to the hospital for older adults, pregnant women, or anyone who has trouble with their balance.
Outdoor stores sell adjustable walking poles or trekking sticks that give you two more points of contact with the ground. When you put them on correctly, they help you check the ground ahead and catch yourself if you slip.
Poles are like extra legs that help you balance and give you important seconds when your feet slip.
A strong umbrella or walking stick can help you if you don’t have poles, but it won’t bite into ice as well as a spiked pole.
Learn how to fall without hurting yourself as much.
No safety measure gets rid of all risk. If you have to fall, the way you land can help you avoid getting hurt.
What to do if you fall forward or backward
Going down: Try to bend your elbows so that your forearms, not your fully outstretched hands, touch first. If you can, turn your body a little and roll over on your side to spread the impact.
If you fall backwards, tuck your chin toward your chest to protect your head. You should try to land on your buttocks and the side of your hip, not directly on your spine or straight arms.
Don’t give in to the urge to throw both hands out stiffly. That move is very likely to break your wrist. Joints that are slightly bent can handle shocks better than locked ones.
How to read winter risk like a pro
“Black ice” and “wind chill” are two terms that come up a lot in weather reports that are worth explaining. Black ice is a thin layer of ice on roads and sidewalks that is hard to see. It happens when wet surfaces freeze quickly. You don’t see it very often until you’re already on it.
Wind chill is the temperature that feels cold when the wind takes heat away from your skin. Even if the air is warm and the wind is strong, your fingers can still go numb and your reactions can slow down. If your hands and feet are numb, it’s harder to fix a wobble on ice.
Imagine this: it’s early in the morning and it’s time to go to school. It rained lightly overnight and the temperature is just below freezing. When you step outside, the sidewalks that looked wet in the dark can be covered in frost. In that case, all of the above—good soles, penguin steps, hands-free, and a backpack instead of a tote—will help you win.
Walking in the winter doesn’t have to be like an extreme sport. You can walk through snow and ice with a lot more confidence if you change your clothes, speed, and route, and if you accept that looking a little awkward is better than getting hurt.
