Common Winter Injuries and How You Can Help Prevent Them

There are approximately 110 million emergency room visits every year, and there’s no question that many of those 110 million visits happen during the winter. Between ice, snow, and winter sports, there’s a whole world of injuries to be wary of in the coming season. 

Whether you’re concerned for your own safety or the safety of your family, here are some of the more common winter injuries and how to avoid them. 

Slips 

Up north, communities learn how to adapt to constant snow and ice. But when you live in a city like Allen, TX, which only gets about two inches of snow per year, a little bit of ice can wreak a lot of havoc, creating plenty of opportunities to slip and fall. The best way to prevent broken bones or head injuries from slips is to wear sturdy boots with good tread and to salt any walkways around your home. Most of these slips and falls actually occur right in front of people’s homes. 

Kitchen Injuries 

Whether it’s lacerations, burns, or other injuries that require urgent care, the kitchen can be a source of many injuries. Winter means that the holiday season is upon us, which means people are going to be spending a lot more time in the kitchen. When carving a turkey or Christmas ham, make sure you’re paying attention to what you’re doing. In addition, you need to be careful around the oven to prevent burns. 

Sports 

Any winter sports enthusiast will probably have at least one story to tell about visits to emergency centers. Winter sports like skiing, snowboarding, and ice skating have all caused their fair share of injuries requiring emergency care. From broken bones to head injuries, the bloody possibilities are endless. To prevent serious injuries this ski season, make sure you’re wearing all of the proper protective gear. 

Illness 

While not necessarily an injury, cold and flu season is officially upon us. One of the best things you can do to prevent the spread of influenza this season is to get your flu shot as early in the season as possible. Urgent care clinics, emergency centers, and even your local pharmacies are now administering flu shots, so don’t forget to get yours! 

Winter is filled with opportunities to become ill or injured, so make sure you’re staying safe and following the proper steps to prevent these situations.