Winter Walking Tips
Here are a few safety tips for walking on campus this winter.
By SAFETY RESOURCESPlan ahead
Make sure you have enough time to get to your destination.
Wear Appropriate Winter Footwear
Consider wearing ice grippers on packed snow and ice. Remove them when indoors, they can become dangerously slippery on smooth surfaces.
Stay on Track
Avoid using roughly trampled shortcuts or creating your own path through the snow where you are not sure what lies beneath. Plan and maintain a safe route on groomed paths to and from locations.
Watch Where You Are Going
Focus on where you are walking and be aware. Look ahead for ice or questionable spots and avoid them, travel along path edges for traction.
Baby Steps
Walk like a penguin on ice to increase your centre of gravity. Bend your knees and turn your feet out slightly, placing your whole foot down at once and take small steps.
Avoid distractions
Leave your phone in your pocket when walking to and from locations. Stop if you need to look at it.
Maintain 3 points of contact
When exiting your vehicle look before you step out and hang onto the door frame, steering wheel or grab bar; when using stairs or ramps hold onto the handrail.
Pay attention to transition zones
Be careful stepping from one surface to another such as into buildings, onto stairs, tiled areas or curbs.
Stay Balanced
Do not carry heavy or large items that can block your view or make you lose your balance. Use backpacks or sling bags to keep your hands free and arms swinging at your sides to keep your balance.
Pitch In
Spread sand on icy areas from buckets located in building entrances.