You can keep your own sidewalk clear of snow and ice, but when you’re out an about you’re at the mercy of the weather and you need to be prepared for anything Mother Nature can throw at you. This winter has been particularly bad for ice and slippery conditions and Calgary’s emergency services have been kept hopping dealing with injuries caused by falls on slippery sidewalks and streets.

Here are the top 5 things that you can do to stay safer when you venture out on foot this winter:

1. Put traction devices on your shoes. The crampons used by mountain and ice climbers have evolved into very affordable studded devices that are easy to slip on to regular shoes. They provide an amazing amount of traction and are easy to take off when you get to your destination.
2. Keep your ears open and be aware of your surroundings. People have been injured or killed when they walked into the path of snow clearing equipment. When you’re out walking take the earbuds out, put the cell phone away, and pay attention to what’s going on around you.
3. Use walking poles. Four legs are better than two and walking poles will help you to stay upright if you slip on an icy sidewalk. As an added benefit they give you a bit of extra exercise so it’s a win win situation.
4. Wear flat soled shoes with good grips. Don’t give in to vanity and wear heals on slippery sidewalks. Flat soled shoes with a textured bottom have more surface contact and are less likely to slide out from under you.
5. Be particularly careful on stairs. Stairs are one of the most dangerous terrains to traverse after a snowfall. They can be covered with ice when a nearby sidewalk is kept ice free by heat radiating from the ground below. Go slow and hang on to the handrail.

Follow these simple tips and you’ll stay safer on Calgary streets this winter. If you require snow removal services, contact Five Star Landscaping today!