Winter Safety Tips
Winter is a beautifully majestic time of the year, yet as pretty the snow and ice may be, it can present us with many obstacles. Being wary of your surroundings when outside is crucial to preventing injuries.
The first thing to pay attention to is your shoes. Boots or sneakers with tractions are the best recommendation for icy and snowy conditions. Pay attention to what is in front of you as well as what is on the ground when walking. Avoid ice patches and hold onto railings if possible when traveling downslope.
When outside, make sure to bundle up appropriately! If the weather dips below freezing, wear your winter coat, hat, scarves, and gloves in order to stay warm. In addition, wearing layers underneath your coat will help stave off any extreme weather. Staying warm will keep you comfortable and prevent you from getting frostbite or hypothermia and will allow you to take your time when getting to your destination, reducing the possibility of slips and falls from rushing through ice and snow.
Keep your car stocked up when traveling during the winter months! Although it is best to avoid driving during a winter storm, sometimes due to personal and work obligations, travel will be necessary. You will want to make sure you are keeping snow removal tools in your vehicle so that you can safely drive your car with clean windows and windshields. Depending on where you live, if strong winter storms are the norm this time of the year, you might want to travel with blankets, food, and water if you happen to get stuck somewhere. Avoiding travel during winter weather events is the safest option.
Finally, make sure your carbon monoxide detector batteries are replaced as incidences of carbon monoxide poisoning spike in the winter. Higher risk factors are present during the winter months due to the increased need to idle your vehicle before travel and the presence of carbon monoxide from space heaters and fireplaces.
We feel like we have the best physical therapists around. Did you know you don’t need a referral to get help from a Physical Therapist? Direct access is available for you, please call us and set up an evaluation so we can help get you back on your feet. In Orange County we offer Physical Therapy in Chester, Goshen, Monroe, Port Jervis, and Montgomery. Westchester County has Physical Therapy in Armonk, Bedford, and Hawthorne. In Ulster County we offer Physical Therapy in Wallkill, while in Sullivan County you can get Physical Therapy in Liberty. To round out our 12 locations in New York, those living in Rockland County can go to Physical Therapy in New City as well as Pomona. If you happen to live in PA, we also have Physical Therapy in Milford and Dingmans Ferry of Pike County. Give us a call today!
