Winter Weather: Staying Upright and Assuring Safe Travel
Following are some tips to help you stay safe this winter, courtesy of AAA, the Ohio Department of Transportation, and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
Avoiding a fall:
- Wear sensible shoes. Rubber and neoprene composite shoes or boots provide traction on snow or ice.
- Use special care when entering or exiting vehicles. If necessary, use the vehicle for support.
- Remove snow and water from footwear when entering buildings to prevent slippery surfaces.
- Walk in designated walkways as much as possible. Taking shortcuts over snow piles and areas where snow and ice have not been removed can be dangerous.
If you have no other choice but to take an icy, slippery path:
- Take short steps or shuffle for stability.
- Bend slightly and walk flat-footed with your center of gravity directly over the feet as much as possible.
Vehicle safety:
- Remember that bridges, ramps, and overpasses are likely to freeze first when weather turns to sleet, freezing rain, or snow.
- Maintain control of your vehicle by not over-accelerating, over-braking, or over-steering—these will result in skidding. If your car begins to skid, simply ease off the accelerator and steer the car in the direction you would like to go.
- Brake early, brake slowly, brake correctly. NEVER slam on the brakes. If you have an anti-lock brake system (ABS), apply steady pressure to the brake and hold it. If you don’t have ABS, gently pump the brake pedal more rapidly as the car begins to slow down.