Doctors from the Republican Center for Health Promotion and Mass Communication have offered a number of tips to help citizens minimize the risk of injuries in icy conditions. Specialists recommend, if possible, avoiding going outside during adverse weather and choosing safer routes, such as well-lit areas with cleared pathways and minimal ice.
Dangerous zones include sidewalks next to the roadway and bus stops, icy manhole covers, as well as steps of shops and other buildings. When climbing stairs, it is important to hold onto the handrails, and in conditions of severe ice, try to place both feet on each step.
Pay special attention to footwear—it should be stable and have a non-slip sole, preferably rubber or textured. Doctors insist on avoiding high heels. As an additional measure, one can use spiked shoe attachments (ice grips), and a temporary solution is to stick adhesive tape in a cross pattern on the sole.
When moving on ice, it is better to take small sliding steps, placing the entire sole on the ground and not lifting the feet too high. Steps should match the length of the foot. Do not keep your hands in your pockets, as this may hinder your ability to brace for a fall.
For elderly people, doctors recommend using a cane with a spike, and pregnant women should not go outside without accompaniment. Special caution should be exercised when crossing the roadway: cross the street calmly, without running, as the braking distance for vehicles significantly increases in icy conditions.
When exiting public transport, it is advisable to hold onto the handrails and not to try to catch a departing bus or trolleybus. It is also important to remember that being on icy streets while under the influence of alcohol increases the risk of serious injuries.
Citizens are advised to avoid areas near buildings where icicles may form, choosing safer routes instead.
If a fall does occur, specialists recommend trying to sit down to reduce the height of the impact and to curl up in a fetal position: tuck your head into your shoulders, press your chin to your chest, bend your knees, and tense your muscles. Falling on your side is considered the safest, however, elderly people should be especially cautious as there is a risk of hip fractures.
Doctors emphasize that if symptoms such as headache, dizziness, nausea, joint pain, or swelling appear after a fall, it is necessary to seek medical assistance immediately.
