Winter is a season of beauty, but it can also bring more danger due to New Hampshire's weather, resulting in treacherous icy and snowy surfaces. Slip and fall accidents are unfortunately common in the U.S., often leading to serious injuries.
In 2020 alone, falls claimed the lives of 42,114 individuals. However, there are effective measures to prevent such incidents. In this post, we will go over five strategies to avoid slips and falls during winter.
1. Wear Proper Footwear
During winter, the type of shoes you choose to wear can have a significant impact on your safety and prevent slipping and falling on icy surfaces. It is best to opt for footwear that offers excellent traction and insulation, such as specialized non-slip boots specifically designed for winter use.
These boots are equipped with features like rugged outsoles to provide optimal grip on slippery terrain and insulation materials to keep your feet warm and dry in cold and wet conditions. By selecting the right winter shoes, you can walk through icy surfaces while having better comfort and protection.
2. Take Your Time
When walking on slippery surfaces, such as wet floors or icy pavements, it's crucial to slow down and take deliberate steps. By doing so, you can maintain your balance and minimize the risk of slipping, tripping, or falling.
Be sure to take time to assess the surface, adjust your stride, and be mindful of your surroundings. For example, when entering and exiting buildings in the winter, be sure to be careful near doorways where melted ice and snow can accumulate.
3. Use Assistance
It is important to always use handrails, a walking stick, your walker, or a cane when venturing out in winter weather. These supportive aids provide extra stability and balance, helping to prevent slips and falls on icy surfaces.
4. Take Small Steps
When walking on slippery surfaces, it is important to take small, deliberate steps to maintain your balance and prevent slips and falls. By doing so, you can minimize the risk of losing traction and travel safely outside in the winter. Remember to stay vigilant and be mindful of your surroundings to avoid any potential hazards.
5. Stay Inside
When possible, choose to stay indoors during periods of extreme cold or when surfaces are particularly slippery due to ice or snow. Taking this precaution can help minimize your exposure to potential slip and fall hazards.
New Hampshire Premises Liability
Under New Hampshire law, property owners have a responsibility to exercise ordinary care in maintaining their premises and ensuring they are reasonably safe for entrants. This includes warning entrants about any hazardous conditions and taking reasonable precautions to prevent foreseeable dangers. If a property owner fails to fulfill these obligations, they may be held liable for injuries sustained by others on their property.
However, it's important to note that simply slipping and falling on someone else's property does not automatically entitle you to file a premises liability claim. Additionally, the presence of a potentially unsafe condition does not necessarily make the property owner liable. To determine if you have a valid case and the appropriate course of action, it is advisable to seek guidance from a premises liability lawyer.
Contact Our Firm for Help
By incorporating these strategies, you can minimize the likelihood of encountering a slip and fall incident during the winter season. However, if you or a loved one has sustained injuries due to a slip and fall accident due to someone’s negligence, don't hesitate to reach out to our slip and fall attorneys at Douglas, Leonard & Garvey, P.C. for legal advice and representation.
Contact us today at (603) 288-1403 or get in touch with us online.