Preparing your Home to Avoid Slips and Falls

Winter weather conditions certainly contribute to the number of slip and fall accidents that can happen at your home. Every homeowner fears the unfortunate slip and fall accident than can happen on their property knowing full well how costly and upsetting it can ultimately turn out to be. With the excessive amounts of snowfall, the frigid below freezing temperatures and accumulating ice, homeowners have to give primary focus to the proper maintenance of their sidewalks, driveways and property in general during the winter season.

Statistics tell us that there are more than 300,000 serious injuries from slip and falls at homes each year from snow and ice and near to 20,000 deaths as well. So taking necessary steps to prepare your home to be safe during the winter weather is essential to every homeowner. You can reduce the risks of slip and falls and serious injuries with just a little bit of know how and some very practical insight.

Steps to ensure the safety of your home are not only practical, but simple as well. Prep the areas around the entrance ways of your home by placing skid resistant mats near the entrances which will allow your guests to dry their shoes properly. Make certain that those entering your home clear the bottom of their feet of any accumulated ice or snow so as to avoid a fall. Also, be certain to keep the floors in your entranceways dry at all times.

As for the outside of your home, always clear the walkways and treat the surface of your walkways, sidewalks, and driveways with salt or sand to prevent falls as well. Your porch and steps should be a part of this sanding or salting process as well since they can become quite slick in the cold months.

Always shovel your sidewalks and pathways immediately following a storm and apply salt or sand thereafter. You want to prevent any ice from forming as a result of compacted snow or snow that melts and refreezes. Salt is one of the best materials you can use on your property to avoid slip and falls since it works in all types of temperatures and lowers the freezing point of water. Sand does not melt the ice, but will definitely provide much needed traction.

Finally, adjust any downspouts so water flows away from your pathways. Any water that is allowed to pool will quickly turn into icy patches that will most assuredly lead to unwanted slips and falls, and always make certain that there is adequate lighting both indoors and outdoors which will certainly contribute to fewer slips and falls at your home in the dangerous winter months.