Tag: Weather

Slips, Trips, and Falls on Ice

Tips to prevent you, your family, and your employees from slips,trips,and falls on ice this Winter

During the Winter Months, there is an increased risk of slips, trips, and falls on ice due to the Winter Weather. This can cause injury to you in your personal life around your house and in your business life with your employees. There are several steps you and your business can take to limit the risk of injury during the Winter Months.

During a Winter Storm it is important to get ahead to prevent slips, trips and falls on ice.

Be aware of your surroundings

Paying attention to the surface you are walking on can go a long way towards preventing slips, trips, and falls on ice.

Select appropriate footwear

This goes for men and women both. In the Winter, especially when a snow or ice storm hits, is not the best time to wear footwear that is not suitable to slippery conditions. In most all scenarios, the people you are interacting with are dealing with the same conditions as you and will understand if the footwear you are wearing is not your Sunday best.

Get an earlier start to your destination

The only way to prevent slipping on ice is to go slow. This goes for walking around your house as well as out in your vehicle. The best way to get to your destination safely is to give yourself adequate time to take the proper precautions due to the weather.

Keeping the proper equipment around can help you prevent slips, trips, and falls on ice.

Keep Proper Equipment around to deal with Snow and Ice

Buying a good shovel is only the beginning of dealing with Winter Weather. Storing the proper type of salt for the sidewalks can prevent slips, trips, and falls on ice. There are specific rakes that can help you remove snow and ice from the roof of your property. Depending upon the area in which you live, you may need some or all of these pieces of equipment.

Be extremely careful getting out of your vehicle

Getting out of your vehicle is the one time when you are moving from a controlled environment into inclement weather. It may take a few steps for you to get accustomed to just how bad the conditions are. Use extra caution at these moments to ensure you arrive at your destination safely.

Don’t take shortcuts

It is important to always use sidewalks, the cleared paths and other designated walking areas on the streets and in parking lots when the weather is treacherous.

Watch for slippery floors when entering buildings

Once you have made it to your destination, it is still important to keep aware of your surrounding. Many people clean off their shoes as soon as they get in to the building. It is common for this area to become wet and cause additional slipping hazards.

 

 

Slips, Trips, and Falls on ice can be treacherous during the Winter Months.

Winter Weather Preparation

Tips to Protect your Car, Home, or Business during the Winter Months

Winter weather can bring extreme conditions that can have adverse impacts on your car, home, or business.  It does not have to take an enormous amount of time and effort to be prepared for the colder weather.  Here are several tips to help you prepare your car, home, and small business for the Winter Weather Season.

Car

  • Tires –  Make sure to check the tread on your tires and ensure they are inflated to the correct PSI for the conditions of your area.
  • Anti-Freeze –  Make sure to correctly mix the anti-freeze properly for the conditions you will face in your area. If you are not certain how to do this, it is always best to have this done by a trained professional.
  • Gas Tank –  Make a habit to keep more than a half a tank of gas in your car at all times during the cold months of the year. If you do get stuck somewhere for an extended period, it may mean the difference between a small inconvenience, a trip tot he hospital, or something worse.
  • Keep a safe driving distance –  When you have to be out driving in snowy or icy conditions, the only way to do this safely is to go slow and give yourself room. Even if your vehicle has four wheel drive, in most cases this only helps a vehicle to get out of a situation where they are stuck. It will not prevent you from slipping on ice. Make sure to go very slow and keep more than adequate room between yourself and other vehicles.

Man Shoveling Snow at his house after a Winter Weather Storm.

Home

  • Have your Furnace inspected yearly – It is best to do this early in the year. That way you are not tempted to turn on the heat when you unexpectedly get the first bit of Winter Weather.
  • Have someone check on your Chimney before using it – Just like with your furnace, it is best to have your chimney checked early in the season.  That way you are not tempted to go ahead and make a fire for the kids the first time it dips a little cold in the Fall.
  • Be safe with Christmas Lights –  Everyone loves to get in the Christmas spirit by decorating their house with Christmas Lights, but these lights bring with them a fire hazard. Make sure you are not plugging too many lights in to any one outlet.
  • Clean out the gutters –  Clean gutters can prevent snow and rain from causing other problems throughout your house.
  • Seal all leaks throughout your house –  This is important all year long, but is especially important in the Winter.  Closing any leaks can save immensely on your energy bill and help your family live a more comfortable life in the Winter.

 

Roadside Business after a Witner Weather Storm comes through.

Business

Snow Removal –  If you live in an area where you experience a lot of snow, buy snow shovels and salt for the parking lot early. Consider consulting with a snow removal business to have your parking lot cleared when there is big snow.

Communicate with Employees –  Today we are living in a hyper-connected world. This gives you many options to communicate with your staff when you either are or are not going to be open.  Have a system for communication in place and test it when the weather is optimal so you know what you need to fix before Winter Weather hits.

Limit the use of space heaters –  It is difficult to keep your business at a comfortable temperature for everyone in your office. If you do allow some employees to use

 

 

The word snow written on the back window of a car during a Winter Storm.