UK! Walk Safe This Winter
Start by focusing on these three areas: Smart Shoes, Smart Steps and Smart Routes.
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Smart Shoes
One of the best ways to prevent a slip or fall starts even before you leave for work. Your choice of footwear can make a big difference. Shoes that seem like great choices for your job on a normal day often are NOT the best choice for snow and ice.
Choose snow boots, hiking boots or shoes with textured soles.
Avoid high heels or dress shoes.
Bonus tip! Use slip-on ice cleats (products like “YakTrax”). Many of these products are easier to put on and remove than ever before, and take up very little room in a bag or under your desk. If you do use a product like this, please remember to remove them before walking indoors (they can damage some floors). From a safety standpoint, products like these are well worth the investment.
Smart Steps
Taking smart steps starts the moment we park the car or leave the bus – really, even from the time we walk out our front door. Here are some simple tips to keep in mind as you take each step:
Outdoors
- Test areas before you step.
- Shuffle flat footed.
- Take short steps and walk at a slower pace.
- Keep your hands clear and out of pockets for balance (and to break your fall, if needed).
- Stay on cleared paths if possible and avoid icy patches.
Indoors
- Stay on mats or carpeted surfaces, if possible.
- Kick off ice, snow, and salt on mats.
- Be very cautious when stepping from one surface to another. For example, when moving from mat to tile, carpet to wood and so on.
- Watch for wet areas.
Bottom line: Slow down and give yourself time to prepare for that next step. Even with these tips, we realize some falls are unavoidable.
Reduce the Risk of Serious Injury When Falling
It may sound counter-intuitive at first, but there are simple ways that you can make a fall on snow or ice safer than it might be otherwise. Here just a few tips.
Forward Fall (also applies to tripping)
- Slap ground with entire palm & forearm (this avoids breaking your wrist).
- Look left or right (this avoids hitting nose/face on ground).
- Do not make contact with body; you should end in a modified push up position with only your toes and forearms touching the ground.
Backwards Fall
- Try to bend at knees & squat before fall.
- Tuck chin to chest (so that your head does not contact ground).
- Slap ground with forearms before body hits.
Side Fall
- Slap ground with entire palm and forearm (use left arm if falling left, right if falling right). This avoids breaking your wrist
- Tuck chin to chest (so that head does not contact ground).
Smart Routes
What you may not know is that UK Facilities Management has a priority snow clearing plan based on the volume of walking traffic across campus. Being aware of these WalkSafe sidewalk snow plans can help you to pick the smartest route from the parking lot or bus stop right up to the clearest entrance(s) to your building [Some entrances are cleared before others, so it may be worth using a different entrance on snowy days].
Click on the appropriate sidewalk snow plan route link below to learn more. Note: WalkSafe pathways in blue are your best bet for a safe walk to work.
Click here to see a complete map with all routes.
Includes Patient Care Facility, Chandler Hospital, KY Clinic, and others
Includes Ag North, Garrigus Building, Barnhart Building, Gluck Equine, and others
Includes University Drive Garage, Good Barn, KY Tobacco Center, and others
Includes Roach Cancer Building, Health Sciences Building, Behavioral Science Building, and others
Includes Good Sam, Cornerstone Garage, Taylor Ed, Gray Design Building, and others
Includes BBSRB, Healthy Kentucky Research Building, Press Avenue Garage, UK HealthCare Garage, and others
Includes Chem-Phys, Jacobs Science Building, Rosenberg Law, and others
Includes Seaton Center, Indoor Tack and Field Building, Smith Hall, Ingels Hall, and others
Includes Bill Gatton Student Center, Barker Hall, Singletary Center, and others
Includes Holmes Hall, Blazer Hall, Memorial Coliseum, Marksbury Building, and others
Includes Gatton B and E, Man Building, Fine Arts, Pence Hall, and others
Includes W.T. Young Library, Haggin Hall, Donovan Hall, and others
Includes King Alumni Building, Sturgill Building, fraternity/sorority residences, and others
Includes University Flats, The 90, Chellgren Hall, Pigman Hall, and others
Includes Grehan Building, ASTeCC, Memorial Hall, Mandrell Hall, and others
Includes Kroger Field, Nutter Field House, Kentucky Proud Park, and others
Includes Shawneetown and Greg Page Apartments
Help Us Promote Winter Weather Safety in Your Area
Thanks for taking time to review our WalkSafe smart choices. Please consider promoting winter weather safety in your area by displaying this WalkSafe flier in your work area (or breakroom).