Snow safety tips: Take care and keep warm in the snow!

It has been snowing in London since Sunday, those outside London may have seen the snow a few days before we did.

This is a quick write-up about safety in the snow, as I have been reading in the newspapers that a lot of people have been injured while out walking in the snow with the NHS inundated with casualties, a relative of mine also fell today.

Here are my tips for snow safety....

Wear Hiking Boots or Industrial safety or Steel Toe Cap Boots - If you own a pair of hiking boots or industrial steel toe cap boots, this is the time to go and dig them out. They are comfortable, will keep your feet warm and have a firm grip due to their chunky sole.

Buy a pair of Wellington Boots - The following are some tips to keep your feet warm whilst wearing wellies. Wear comfortable, waterproof boots with a good gripping sole, these are just what you need in the snow and also when the dangerous black ice forms when the snow begins to melt. You can buy these at a number of shoe shops. It does not matter if the wellies come up a little bigger than your usual size because you can wear thick woollen socks with them to make sure your feet stay warm and dry. Most people I have spoken to bought theirs for about £5 (very affordable). When the snow is long gone, you can use your wellington boots for the wet rainy days too. Flat knee high boots with grips on the soles also work well to keep your legs warm.

 Wellington boots from Aldo

Wear woollen socks - These will help to keep your feet warm and protected from the chill and frost and also stop you from getting sore ankles especially if you are wearing the industrial steel toe cap boots.


Try not to wear trainers - Unless your trainers have firm grips underneath them, avoid trainers as you can slip and slide in them very easily. Also, trainers and shoes tend to cover just your feet and have small holes in them for ventilation, so your feet could get wet inside, especially if your trainers are made up of a cloth-like material.

Wear gloves - These will help to keep your fingers warm and protected from the chill, frost and wet weather. Gloves that are lined on the inside are especially useful to keep away frostbite.

Wear a hat - Keep your head warm and protected by wearing a woolly hat or baseball cap or hat. Hats that have a visor on the front work well because they can protect your face particularly if it is snowing.

Wear layers of clothing - To keep warm and healthy, wear a number of layers to trap air and keep you warm and dry, particularly if you do not own a very thick and warm coat. A nice thick pair of tights and some thick woollen socks are recommended. Also, the thought just came to my mind that if you fall while wearing layers of clothing you are less likely to get injured due to all the padding.

Tread carefully - Walk carefully in the snow especially if your shoes are smooth underneath and do not have any grips as you will be more likely to fall or slip and slide.

Hold on to railings or rails if available - When out walking in the snow, if there is anything to hold on to such as railings and stair rails, hold on to these to make sure you do not fall down.


Update 6th February 2009

No sooner had I written this article a few days ago when I became a slip and fall victim myself.
I was making my way in to work on Wednesday 4th of February when I was sent flying up in the air and landed heavily on my bum on the ice, I screamed so loudly that people came running to help me. Unfortunately, the ice was extremely slippery and everyone around was doing the penguin walk and holding on to the few railings in the area. The area had not been gritted at all. Fortunately, one of my colleagues (who happened to be walking behind me at the time) and a handful of people came to rescue me and pulled me up out of the slippery, icy snow. I was very grateful.

On Thursday as I made my way out of the tube station, again on my way to work, I was so anxious coming around the corner with my heart sinking and dread taking over, but as I walked cautiously around the corner, I was pleased to see that the snow had disappeared magically, this could have been due to the rain yesterday or maybe the Council had sent some people to clear the area, either way I was pleased that I did not have to attempt that deadly walk. I now have a major stiff neck and pains all over.

At lunchtime on Thursday, I walked off to the nearest chemist to buy a box of Ibuprofen 400 mg (high strength). This obviously only gives temporary relief because this morning (Friday 6th February) I cannot even have a bath or move my head without turning my whole body, my spine hurts and it feels as though I have something lodged into my back. I am not going anywhere except to A&E and I am not usually a sick person. I usually avoid my GP and hospital if I can, but I feel really bad, I may even need to see an Osteopath as my spine feels like it is twisted!

Update 7th February 2009

Well, my brother took me to A&E yesterday (friday) morning and the nice Doctor I saw concluded that I have whiplash as a result of my fall. I have been given Diclofenac and Co-Dydramol to take together and a leaflet with some exercises to do in order to relieve the stiffness in my neck. *big sigh*

I asked the Doctor whether I should wear a neck brace (I have one at home) and she told me that the neck brace would restrict my movement and advised against using one.

Thankfully, I only had to wait about 30 minutes before I was seen. I knew it was a good idea to go early in the morning. I struck up a conversation with a lady sitting next to me (who also had a stiff neck), this made the time go quickly.

In the evening I tried to stretch my left hand behind my back and heard a big crunching and clicking noise as though my spinal bones were being re-aligned into place, although it still feels as though I have something stuck in my back. Who knows, I may be back to work by Monday or Tuesday next week.


Related External Link

Scans 'no aid for back pain care'


Related Blog Link

British School of Osteopathy in SE1