Snow and ice can lead to dangerous conditions, and maybe even a trip to the ER.
Hospitals and urgent care centers see an uptick this time of year, especially patients who slip and fall on ice or get hurt in weather-related car crashes. Trauma experts at Carilion Clinic say the best way to prevent accidents or injuries, is to stay home if you can.
But if you have to go out, make sure you have good lighting around your home, have ice melt handy, wear good shoes with traction, and take it slow. We’re told a lot of slip-and-fall injuries happen simply when someone’s trying to leave their house.
“We’ll see a lot of fractures. A lot of times, people, if they’re slipping and falling, will try to catch themselves with their arms. So we will see some broken wrists. We also see an increase in head trauma.”
Ottilia Lewis, Carilion Clinic Trauma Outreach Coordinator
If you fall and hit your head, she says don’t rush to get up.
If you can, sit up, get your bearings, and then slowly get up and out of the icy conditions. If you’re hurt, get medical treatment right away.