Specialists from the Republican Center for Health Promotion and Mass Communication have urged citizens to be cautious in icy conditions and shared recommendations that can help prevent injuries.
Doctors recommend minimizing outings in bad weather and choosing the safest routes, such as well-lit and treated areas with minimal ice. Dangerous zones include sidewalks next to roadways, bus stops, as well as icy manhole covers and stairs in stores and other buildings. When climbing stairs, it is important to use handrails, and in conditions of severe ice, it is better to place both feet on each step.
Footwear plays a key role in preventing injuries: it should be stable and provide good grip on the surface, preferably with a rubber or textured sole. Specialists strongly advise against wearing high-heeled shoes. Special ice grips can be used, or as a temporary measure, adhesive tape can be applied to the sole in a crisscross pattern.
When moving on ice, one should take small sliding steps, placing the foot fully on the surface and avoiding high lifts. The length of the step should correspond to the length of the leg, and it is better to keep hands out of pockets to be able to brace for a fall in time.
Older adults are advised to use a cane with a pointed end, and pregnant women should avoid walking alone. It is essential to be especially cautious on roadways: crossing the street should be done slowly, without running, as the braking distance for vehicles significantly increases in icy conditions.
When exiting public transport, it is important to hold onto handrails and not to try to catch a departing bus or trolleybus. Doctors also highlight the dangers associated with being on slippery streets while under the influence of alcohol, as this significantly increases the risk of serious injuries.
Additionally, it is recommended to avoid areas near buildings where there is a possibility of icicles falling, opting for safer routes instead.
If a fall cannot be avoided, specialists advise trying to sit down to reduce the height of the impact and to curl up in a fetal position—tucking the head into the shoulders, pressing the chin to the chest, bending the knees, and tensing the muscles. Falling on the side is considered the safest, but older adults should be particularly cautious due to the risk of hip fractures.
Doctors emphasize that if headaches, dizziness, nausea, joint pain, or swelling occur after a fall, medical assistance should be sought immediately.
