Winter Walking.
Just like winter driving, winter walking requires anticipation. Think "defensive walking.” Follow these guidelines to help avoid injury:
Use appropriate footwear for the surface/conditions. Avoid slick-soled shoes. Wear boots/shoes/overshoes with grip soles such as rubber or neoprene composite.
Plan ahead to give yourself sufficient time to reach your destination.
Plan your route and watch where you walk. Avoid routes that have not been cleared or appear glazed over.
Avoid carrying large/heavy/awkward-shaped objects that can obstruct your view or affect your balance or center of gravity. Consider a backpack instead or use of a cart.
Use special care in parking lots. Try to park in areas free of ice. When entering/exiting your vehicle, use your vehicle for support.
Think about the walking surfaces whenever you move about campus, especially following sunny days. Some areas previously cleared may have partially thawed and refrozen, especially near the edges, leaving a glaze of ice.
Use caution when entering a building as any snow left on your footwear will thaw with the building heat.
Notice if the floor is wet from previous entrants. Avoid such indoor wet areas and if they cannot be avoided, traverse them the same as you would walk on ice.
Contact Custodial Services to inquire about equipping areas prone to track-in with walk-off mats. Pay complete attention to your walking.
Don’t talk on the phone or text, search for items in your purse/briefcase, get distracted by greetings/conversation, think ahead to events of the upcoming day, etc.
Always use “defensive walking” techniques. Watch for hazards like black ice. If you must walk on slippery surfaces:
Take short steps or shuffle your feet. Walk more slowly so you can react quickly to a change in traction.
Bend slightly as you walk to keep your center of gravity over your feet. Curl your toes under and walk as “flat-footed” as possible.
Test potentially slick areas by tapping your foot on them before proceeding.
Avoid uneven areas and stepping up/down onto icy areas such as from curbs.
Keep your hands out of your pockets. Use your arms for balance. Imagine you are going to “walk like a penguin.”
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