With winter quickly approaching, it won’t be long before we’ll be dealing with icy walkways. Good balance can prevent falls and injuries, ranging from broken arms, legs or hips to back injuries and concussions. The National Center for Injury Prevention and Control says slips and falls are the leading cause of nonfatal injuries across all age groups. One in every five falls results in a serious injury, such as head trauma or broken bones. That’s more than 800,000 people being hospitalized each year. When it comes to getting around on ice, penguins know best. Here’s how to walk like one:
- • Point your feet out slightly. This will increase your center of gravity.
- • Bend slightly and walk flat-footed with your center of gravity directly over your feet.
- • Extend your arms to your sides for balance. This improves your balance by shifting your center of gravity, and you’ll be able to break your fall if you do start to slip.
- • Go slowly, taking short steps or shuffling.
If you fall, try to relax your body. Relaxed muscles help distribute impact more evenly across your body, and therefore lessens your chance of injury. Winter weather, snow, and ice are inevitable, but following these tips and walking with care can keep you safe all winter long.
