Tips to avoid winter slips and injuries

Here are some tips to secure your home and prevent unpleasant surprises during the cold season.

Winter brings its share of challenges, notably the presence of icy and snowy surfaces, which significantly increase the risk of falls and accidents. Common injuries, which can have serious consequences, especially for the elderly, include sprains, fractures, and head injuries.

Make the outside of your home as safe as possible

Clear and de-ice walkways

Patches of ice or hardened blocks of snow can be dangerous. Make sure that the walkways around your home are clear for occupants and visitors.

You also need to clear snow from driveways and sidewalks. You then need to apply sand or other abrasive (salt or crushed stone) to make surfaces less slippery.

Install supports

To make your comings and goings safer, install outdoor railings, grab bars on stairs, and non-slip coverings on steps and entrances.

Clearing snow from your roof

You also need to think about clearing snow from your roof after each heavy snowfall, while taking care to do so as safely as possible. This will prevent injuries caused by falling snow.

Put on the right footwear

Avoid going outside in indoor shoes. Good winter boots or appropriate overshoes are the safest option.

Make the inside of your home as safe as possible

Even if ice and snow don't cross your doorstep, there are still risks lurking inside your home.

Install non-slip ramps and mats

Be sure to install non-slip mats at your home’s entrances and exits, as well as railings and grab-bars near stairs, steps or any uneven surfaces.

Illuminate dark corners

Don’t overlook lighting. By making sure all areas of your home are well lit, you reduce the risk of hitting an object in the dark.

Avoid clutter

And don't forget to arrange your home’s living areas to remove anything that could prevent the occupants from moving around easily.

A few extra precautions

Take a good look around

Take advantage of a fine day to check the area around your property for potential hazards and deal with them if necessary.

Make your family and friends more aware of the risks

Make other members of your household more aware of the risks involved. Pay special attention to youngsters and other vulnerable people.

Take your time

As the saying goes, slow and steady wins the race! Don’t rush, but give yourself enough time to do everything that needs to be done to make your home safer in winter.

Accidents can happen out of the blue! By taking the time to make both the outside and inside of your home thoroughly safe, you reduce the risk of falls and injuries not only for yourself, but also for your family and your visitors – and not only in winter, but all year round.

Even so, there's no such thing as zero risk. For peace of mind, request a quote with a broker to find out which type of home insurance is best for you.