Summary
As parts of the United States moved through days of snow and extreme cold, health and safety professionals warned that icy conditions can turn ordinary commutes and outdoor trips into medical emergencies. They urged people to adjust their behavior—on foot, behind the wheel and around frozen water—to reduce the chance of serious injury.
Emergency medicine leaders said the injury pattern from icy falls tends to be consistent. “If there’s ice, there’s a risk,” said Dr. Robert Wahl, vice chief of Emergency Medicine at DMC Huron Valley-Sinai Hospital in Commerce Township, Michigan. In Wahl’s view, changing how people walk and drive is often the difference between a minor slip and a trip that lands in an emergency room.
Wahl said emergency rooms typically see three major categories of injuries when people fall outdoors on ice: closed-head injuries, outstretched hand and wrist injuries, and hip injuries. He said the head injuries can be especially problematic for older adults. He also said that while outstretched hand injuries are painful, many do not require surgery.
Wahl said “Broken hips. Those 100% need surgery.” For that reason, he and other clinicians emphasized that people should focus on prevention rather than trying to recover mid-fall. In the same guidance aimed at minimizing harm, Wahl pointed to the role of slowing down and not underestimating how quickly slick surfaces can trigger a loss of balance.
Dr. Alexander Cotter, of the Center for Spine and Orthopedics in Denver, advised what he called a “penguin protocol” for moving across ice. He said people should adopt a small, shuffling gait while leaning forward to keep their center of gravity low. Cotter argued that rushing and using phones while walking can contribute to the moment someone begins to slide.
Cotter also warned against reflexive attempts to catch oneself with the hands. “Stay hands-free,” he said, adding that people should “Think about tucking your chin down to protect your head.” Cotter said leaning forward can help prevent a backwards fall, and he said that with forward falls, people may be able to “take it on your shoulder.”
Cotter said footwear with tread and traction can also matter, and he advised limiting how much people carry to maintain balance. “Maybe not trying to be a superhero and taking everything (in) at one time,” he said. “When you hurry, that’s when you get injured,” Cotter said, adding that common-sense precautions are “not the fault of any one person to not think of these things.”
Beyond sidewalks and roads, authorities also warned about dangers on frozen lakes. With extreme cold and snowfall leaving streets, driveways, parking lots and sidewalks hazardous, the Oakland County, Michigan, sheriff’s office said it had already responded to ice incidents involving people or animals before a broader arctic blast. Sheriff Mike Bouchard said that before the cold snap the department had made six ice-related calls in nine days, involving people through the ice and animals through the ice.
Bouchard said people should not assume that ice becomes safe simply because it has been cold for a few days. “No ice should be considered safe just because we’ve had a few cold days or because you’ve measured in one spot,” Bouchard said. He said the danger is tied to what cannot be seen beneath the surface, including currents and the possibility of springs that can melt ice in some areas.
Bouchard said the department had recovered two snowmobiles through the ice this year and saved two people who could have died. He also said animals can perish on ice and urged people not to run onto frozen water to help animals there, including pets.
For those who walk, fish or ride snowmobiles on ice, Bouchard said people should measure thickness in the specific area where they plan to be and not assume it is consistent across the lake. He also urged taking proper weather and safety equipment, including ice awls and instructions for regaining footing once back on the ice.
In roadside guidance, Kansas City officials said driving behavior also needs to change as conditions deteriorate. Kansas City Battalion Chief Riley Nolan said people should have “patience,” leave plenty of time and avoid rushing when roads become slick. Nolan also recommended having rock salt and a small shovel available, along with extra warm layers that cover hands and face if a vehicle gets stuck.
Nolan said motorists who break down or experience an incident should “stay in your vehicle” and avoid wandering away. He said it is also important, if running a vehicle to stay warm, to ensure the exhaust pipe is clear to avoid fumes harming people.
AAA - The Auto Club Group spokeswoman Adrienne Woodland added that drivers should compensate for reduced tire traction by increasing the distance to the car in front of them. “You definitely do not want to tailgate on snowy and icy roads,” Woodland said, and she advised staying well back from snow plows, saying drivers should remain at least 200 feet (60.9 meters) behind them.