Slipping on ice: how to fall, when to seek care, and how to prevent it¶

A slip on ice happens in less than a second, and the injuries it causes can change someone's life. Winter falls send many thousands of people to emergency departments every year with broken wrists, fractured hips, dislocated shoulders, back injuries and head injuries. Older adults, people with weak bones, and people who take blood thinning medicine are at the greatest risk of a serious outcome from what looks like a minor tumble.

This guide covers what to do in the moment when you start to fall, how to check yourself and others once you are on the ground, which injuries need urgent care and which can wait, how to get up safely, and how to prevent falls with the right footwear, walking technique and salting. For specific injuries, see broken bones and sprains, head injuries आणि spinal injuries.

आता हे करा¶

1. Stay where you are for a moment after a fall. Check for pain in the head, neck, back, hips, wrists and ankles before you try to move.
2. Call your local emergency number (911 in the United States and Canada, 112 across the European Union, 999 in the United Kingdom) if you hit your head and lose consciousness, feel confused, vomit, have neck or back pain, cannot move a limb, or have a bone that looks bent or out of place. See आपत्कालीन क्रमांक for other countries.
3. Do not stand up fast, and do not let anyone pull you up if you may have a neck, back, hip or leg injury. Wait for help.
4. If you can move and nothing seems badly hurt, roll to your side, get onto your hands and knees, crawl to a stable support, and stand one leg at a time. Then sit down in a warm place and check yourself again.
5. If someone is lying on ice, keep them warm with a coat or blanket, and do not move them if you think they may have a neck, back or hip injury. Cold can add to their problems quickly.
6. Seek medical care within a day for any head knock if you take blood thinners, are over 65, or if you develop a headache, drowsiness, vomiting or confusion later.

How to fall on ice with less injury¶

You will rarely have time to think, but the way you land makes a large difference. Practice the idea in your head before winter, since people who have thought about it are more likely to react well.

The principles¶

• Relax and avoid fighting the fall. Stiffening up makes injuries worse. Try to let your body go loose and roll.
• Tuck your chin to your chest. This protects your head and neck from hitting the ground. Do not throw your head back.
• Do not stick out your hands. Landing on an outstretched hand is the most common cause of a broken wrist, and it can also break the forearm, elbow or collarbone. Keep your arms bent and close to your body, or let them fold in front of you.
• Land on padded parts. Try to turn your body so that you land on the side of your buttocks, thigh or the back of your shoulder, which have more muscle and fat. Fall sideways or backward, with your knees bent, instead of straight forward or straight backward on your tailbone.
• Roll with the fall. Rolling spreads the force. Curling into a ball, with your chin tucked, helps you slide and roll instead of stopping dead on one point.
• Do not try to catch yourself with your knees or elbows. These joints break and dislocate easily.
• Let go of what you are carrying. If you are holding a bag, a shovel or a cup, drop it. Hold on to it only if a child is in your arms, and in that case twist so that your body takes the fall and protects the child.

If you start to fall backward¶

Backward falls cause the most serious head injuries, since the back of the head can hit the ground with great force. Tuck your chin tightly to your chest, bring your arms across your body, and try to twist onto your side. Aim for the buttocks and the muscle of your back and not your head or spine.

If you start to fall forward¶

Bend your knees and let your body collapse in a roll, with your arms bent. Tuck your head to one side and turn your shoulder toward the ground, so that you roll over the shoulder and not onto your face. Avoid putting your palms out stiff.

If you are carrying a child¶

Turn your body so that you land on your side or back with the child on top of you. Keep a strong hold of the child, curl around them, and protect their head with your hand.

Right after a fall: check yourself¶

Many people jump up and say they are fine. Shock and adrenaline can hide pain for several minutes, so stay down for a short time and check carefully.

1. Stay still and breathe. Take slow breaths. If you feel faint, stay lying down.
2. Check your head and neck. Do you have a headache, dizziness, nausea, blurred vision, or neck pain? If you hit your head or feel any of these, do not get up quickly.
3. Check your back and spine. Pain in the middle of your back, tingling, numbness, or weakness in the arms and legs are red flags. Stay still and call for help.
4. Check your hips and legs. Can you bend your hip and knee? Can you bear weight? A leg that looks shorter or turned outward, with a lot of groin or hip pain, points to a hip fracture.
5. Check your arms and wrists. Look for swelling, bruises, bent shape or pain when you move your fingers or turn your hand.
6. Check for bleeding. Press firmly on any bleeding with a clean cloth.
7. Try to move slowly if you have no signs of a serious injury, as described below.

When to call your local emergency number¶

Call at once if the person, or you, has any of the following after a fall:

• Loss of consciousness, even for a short time, or confusion, unusual behavior or slurred speech
• Repeated vomiting, a seizure, or a severe, worsening headache
• Clear fluid or blood from the ears or nose
• Neck or back pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness in the arms or legs
• A bone that is visibly bent or out of place, or a bone that has broken the skin
• A leg that looks shorter or twisted, with severe hip or groin pain and inability to bear weight
• Heavy bleeding that does not stop with firm pressure
• Difficulty breathing, chest pain, or severe pain in the abdomen
• Inability to get up and a risk of hypothermia from lying in the cold
• Signs of a stroke, such as face drooping, arm weakness or speech difficulty, which might have caused the fall. See स्ट्रोक

Head injuries after a slip¶

Falls on ice often cause the head to strike hard ground, curbs, steps or a car. The skull may be fine, but the brain can still bruise or bleed inside. Symptoms can appear immediately or develop over hours or days.

Warning signs that need urgent care¶

• Loss of consciousness, even for a few seconds
• Headache that is severe or gets worse
• Repeated vomiting
• Confusion, memory loss, unusual sleepiness, or trouble waking
• Slurred speech, weakness or numbness, loss of balance, or trouble walking
• One pupil larger than the other, double vision or blurred vision
• Seizure
• Clear fluid or blood from the nose or ears
• Unusual behavior or irritability, especially in children

Higher risk groups¶

Adults aged 65 and older, people who take blood thinners such as warfarin or newer anticoagulants, and people who take aspirin or similar medicine regularly, can have bleeding inside the head even after a minor knock. This can happen slowly, over days or weeks. The NHS (United Kingdom) and other health services advise that anyone on blood thinners who hits their head should be checked by a clinician the same day, even if they feel well. See elderly hip fracture or head strike on blood thinners and delayed subdural hematoma.

At home after a minor head knock¶

If you have none of the warning signs and a clinician has said you can go home, rest, and have an adult stay with you for the first 24 hours. Use a cold pack on the bump wrapped in a cloth. Do not drink alcohol, and avoid driving, sports and heavy exertion until you feel normal. Return for urgent care if any warning signs appear. For full details, read head injuries. If the person is unconscious and not breathing normally, begin CPR. See CPR.

Wrist, arm and shoulder injuries¶

When people fall on an outstretched hand, the force travels up the arm. The result is often a broken wrist, a fractured forearm, a broken elbow, a dislocated shoulder or a broken collarbone.

Signs of a wrist or arm fracture¶

• Pain that is severe, especially when you move the wrist or grip
• Swelling and bruising, often within minutes to hours
• A bent, crooked or fork shaped wrist
• Numbness or tingling in the fingers, or pale or blue fingers
• Not being able to turn the palm up or down, or grip an object

What to do¶

1. Stop using the arm and keep it still. Do not try to straighten a bent limb.
2. Support the arm in the position you find it, with a sling made from a scarf, a jacket, or a folded towel, or hold it against the chest with the other hand.
3. सूज येण्यापूर्वी अंगठ्या, घड्याळे आणि ब्रेसलेट काढा.
4. Apply a cold pack wrapped in a cloth for up to 20 minutes at a time, never directly on the skin.
5. Do not eat or drink anything until a clinician has seen you, in case you need an operation.
6. Get medical care the same day. Call your local emergency number if the skin is broken, the fingers are blue, pale, cold or numb, or the injury is severe.

See broken bones and sprains आणि open fractures for details on splinting and for bone that breaks the skin.

Hip, pelvis and leg injuries¶

A hip fracture is a medical emergency, especially for older adults. The person usually cannot stand or bear weight, and has severe pain in the hip, groin or thigh. The leg may look shorter, and the foot may turn outward. Do not lift or move the person. Call your local emergency number, keep them warm and still, and place padding around the leg if you have it. See hip fracture or pelvic fracture in an older adult for what to avoid.

Ankle and knee injuries are common as well. If the joint looks deformed, you cannot put any weight on it, or the pain is severe, treat it as a possible fracture and seek urgent care. Mild sprains can often be treated by resting the joint, applying a cold pack, wrapping it gently, and raising it, with a medical review if the pain does not improve in a few days.

How to get up after a fall¶

Only try to stand if you have no sign of a serious injury. Take your time, since getting up too fast can cause dizziness and a second fall.

1. Lie still for a minute and breathe slowly.
2. Roll onto your side, then onto your hands and knees. Use your arms and the muscles in your legs.
3. Crawl to a sturdy support, such as a railing, a car, a wall or a chair. Avoid pulling on something that is not secure.
4. Place one foot flat on the ground with your knee bent, then push up with your arms and legs, and bring the other leg up.
5. Sit in the nearest chair and rest. Check again for pain, dizziness or weakness.
6. Warm up, and tell someone what happened, even if you feel fine.

If you cannot get up¶

Call out for help, use your phone, wear any alert device and call your local emergency number. Stay warm by covering yourself with whatever you can reach, and move your arms and legs if you can do so without pain. Do not stay lying on ice or snow longer than necessary, because cold can lead to hypothermia within an hour or two, especially in older people. See hypothermia and frostbite आणि elderly fall recovery when unable to stand.

If you are helping someone¶

1. Ask them not to move, and ask where it hurts.
2. Look for the warning signs listed above.
3. If they appear fine and want to get up, let them rise slowly and use your arm for balance. Do not lift them by the arms.
4. If they have severe pain, cannot move a limb, hit their head, or are on blood thinners, call your local emergency number.
5. Keep them warm with a coat, a hat and a blanket, and put something under them if they must wait on cold ground.

Preventing falls on ice¶

Most falls on ice can be prevented. The best prevention combines good footwear, a careful way of walking, and keeping paths clear and treated.

Choose the right footwear¶

• Wear boots or shoes with thick, flexible rubber or composite soles that have deep, widely spaced tread. Hard plastic or smooth leather soles are slippery.
• Look for soles labeled for cold and ice, since some rubber stays soft at low temperatures and others harden.
• Choose a low, wide heel. Avoid high heels, platforms and smooth dress shoes.
• Use removable traction cleats, studs or ice grips that stretch over boots. Take them off before you walk on indoor hard floors, since they are slippery on tile and can damage floors.
• Consider boots with built in studs or special grip patches for very icy conditions, but check they fit well and are comfortable.
• Wear warm, dry socks and make sure your boots fit well. Cold feet make walking less steady.
• हातमोजे घाला, खिशात हात न लावा, जेणेकरून तुमचे हात तुम्हाला संतुलित ठेवण्यास मदत करतील.
• जर तुम्हाला संतुलन राखण्यात अडचण येत असेल तर चालणारा खांब किंवा बर्फाच्या टोकासह छडी वापरा. बर्फाच्या टिपा हे लहान धातूचे स्पाइक असतात जे उसाच्या टोकापासून दुमडतात.

पेंग्विनसारखे चाला¶

1. लहान, हलणारी पावले घ्या आणि आपले पाय सपाट ठेवा. लांब पाऊल टाकू नका.
2. तुमचे पाय किंचित बाहेरच्या दिशेने निर्देशित करा, ज्यामुळे तुमचा पाया रुंद होईल.
3. तुमचे गुडघे किंचित वाकलेले ठेवा आणि तुमचे गुरुत्वाकर्षण केंद्र तुमच्या पुढच्या पायावर ठेवा.
4. तुम्हाला संतुलन राखण्यात मदत करण्यासाठी तुमचे हात तुमच्या बाजूने थोडेसे दूर ठेवा. खिशात हात ठेवू नका.
5. मजकूर पाठवू नका, स्क्रोल करू नका किंवा तुम्हाला असंतुलित करणारे जड भार वाहून नेऊ नका. जर तुम्हाला बॅग घेऊन जाणे आवश्यक असेल तर, दोन्ही हातांमध्ये वजन पसरवा किंवा बॅकपॅक घाला.
6. तुमचे डोळे पुढे जमिनीवर ठेवा आणि काळ्या बर्फाचे चमकदार ठिपके शोधा. पहा फ्लॅश फ्रीझ आणि ब्लॅक आइस ड्रायव्हिंग.
7. सावकाश चालत जा आणि तुमचा वेळ काढा, कर्ब्स बंद करताना आणि हँडरेल्स वापरा.
8. आपले वजन हस्तांतरित करण्यापूर्वी पृष्ठभागाची चाचणी घ्या. तुमच्या पायाचे बोट खाली ठेऊन त्या पायावर तुमचे वजन ठेवा जेव्हा तो पकडेल.
9. तीव्र उतारांवर कडेकडेने जा आणि मार्गाच्या बाजूने बर्फात चाला जर त्याची पकड चांगली असेल.

सामान्य सापळ्यांपासून सावध रहा¶

• Getting in and out of vehicles. Hold on to the door frame or the roof, step out with one foot at a time, and check the surface.
• Shiny surfaces, which are likely to be black ice. Assume that wet looking pavement in freezing weather is ice.
• Shaded areas, bridges, ramps and entrances to buildings, which refreeze first.
• Steps and stairs. Use the handrail, and take one step at a time.
• Curbs and drainage grates, which are often hidden under snow.
• Parking lots, where meltwater runs and refreezes.
• Wearing smooth soled shoes inside buildings after walking in snow. Wet floors in entrances are slippery, so wipe your feet.

Salting and clearing walkways¶

Clearing and treating your own steps and paths protects you, your visitors and delivery workers. Many cities require owners and occupiers to clear footpaths within a set time after snowfall, so check local rules.

मार्ग कसे उपचार करावे¶

1. प्रथम फावडे वापरून बर्फ साफ करा, कारण मीठ बर्फाच्या पातळ थरावर चांगले काम करते आणि सैल बर्फ तो पातळ करतो. सुरक्षित तंत्र वापरा. पहा shoveling snow safely.
2. सामग्री पातळ आणि समान रीतीने पसरवा आणि ढीग करू नका. प्रति चौरस मीटर मूठभर बरेचदा पुरेसे असते.
3. जेव्हा शक्य असेल तेव्हा वादळापूर्वी उपचार करा. सॉल्ट ब्राइन किंवा प्रीट्रीटमेंट बर्फाला फुटपाथला जोडण्यापासून थांबवते.
4. वितळलेले पाणी गोठल्यानंतर पुन्हा अर्ज करा, विशेषतः रात्री आणि पहाटे.
5. पायऱ्या, रॅम्प, हँडरेल्स, प्रवेशद्वार आणि ज्या ठिकाणी डाऊनस्पाउट मार्ग ओलांडून जातो त्या ठिकाणी विशेष लक्ष द्या.
6. Direct downspouts away from walkways so that meltwater does not refreeze on them.
7. Store salt in a closed bin near the door, and keep it away from children and pets.
8. Wash salt from pets' paws and from floors, and use salt moderately to protect plants, concrete and groundwater.

Landlords, employers and shared spaces¶

If you are a landlord, employer, or manage a shared space, treat paths and car parks as a duty of care. Keep a written record of when you cleared and treated surfaces, post warnings for wet floors and icy patches, and put up handrails where needed. If you fall on someone else's property, take photographs of the ice, the time and your footwear, report the fall to the owner, and seek legal advice if you were seriously injured. Rules vary widely between countries, and you should check with local authorities.

Special groups¶

Older adults¶

Older adults have a higher chance of falls and a higher chance of serious injury. Weak bones, slower reflexes, medicines that cause dizziness, vision changes and joint problems all raise the risk. For them, indoors is safest on icy days. Arrange for groceries and medicine to be delivered, get help with clearing paths, and use a cane with an ice tip if needed. See keeping older adults safe in cold weather आणि older adults emergency planning.

Children¶

Children fall often, and they bounce better than adults, but head injuries still matter. Teach children to walk with their hands out of pockets, to avoid running on ice and to stay off frozen ponds. For sledding hazards and ice safety, see falling through ice.

People who are pregnant¶

A fall in pregnancy needs a medical check even when you feel fine, since a hard impact to the abdomen can harm the placenta. Contact your midwife, doctor or maternity unit after any fall, and call your local emergency number if you have bleeding, fluid leaking, severe pain, or reduced movement of the baby.

People with osteoporosis or on blood thinners¶

These people have a higher chance of fractures and internal bleeding. Seek care after any fall that involves the head, hip, back or ribs. Keep a list of your medicines in your wallet or phone so that emergency staff know what you take.

Decision flow after a fall on ice¶

flowchart TD
    A["You have fallen on ice"] --> B["Stay still and check yourself"]
    B --> C{"Head strike, loss of consciousness,<br/>neck or back pain, or a bent limb?"}
    C -->|"Yes"| D["Stay still, stay warm<br/>and call emergency number"]
    C -->|"No"| E{"Can you move all joints<br/>without severe pain?"}
    E -->|"No"| D
    E -->|"Yes"| F["Roll to hands and knees<br/>and rise slowly with support"]
    F --> G{"On blood thinners, over 65<br/>or a head knock?"}
    G -->|"Yes"| H["Seek medical care<br/>the same day"]
    G -->|"No"| I["Rest, apply cold packs<br/>and watch for new symptoms"]
    I --> J{"Headache, vomiting, confusion<br/>or worsening pain later?"}
    J -->|"Yes"| H
    J -->|"No"| K["सामान्य क्रियाकलापावर परत या<br/>आणि तुमचे पादत्राणे तपासा"]

बर्फ पडण्याच्या सामान्य जखमांची तुलना करणे¶

Checklist for a safe winter walk¶

• I am wearing boots with deep tread and soft rubber soles, or ice grips.
• My hands are free and in gloves, not pockets.
• I have a charged phone in an inside pocket.
• Someone knows where I am going if I will be out long.
• I will walk with short, flat footed steps and use handrails.
• I will treat shiny pavement as ice and avoid shaded patches.
• I have cleared and salted steps and paths at home.
• मला डोक्याला गंभीर दुखापत होण्याची चिन्हे माहित आहेत आणि मी मदतीसाठी कॉल करेन.

वारंवार विचारले जाणारे प्रश्न¶

What is the best way to fall on ice?¶

Tuck your chin to your chest, keep your arms bent and in front of you instead of stretching out your hands, and try to land on the padded parts of your body such as the side of your buttocks or thigh. Relax as much as you can and roll with the fall. Avoid landing on your wrists, elbows, knees or the back of your head.

When should I go to the hospital after slipping on ice?¶

Call your local emergency number if you lose consciousness, are confused, vomit, have neck or back pain, cannot move a limb, have a visibly bent bone or cannot bear weight on a leg. Seek care the same day for a head knock if you are over 65 or take blood thinners, and for any wrist or ankle pain that is severe or gets worse. Do not wait to see if symptoms pass when you hit your head.

Why do wrist fractures happen so often when people slip on ice?¶

Most people throw out a hand to break a fall, and the force of the landing travels through the hand into the wrist and forearm. The wrist bone at the thumb side tends to break at that point, especially in people with thinner bones. Keeping your arms bent and rolling with the fall can reduce the risk.

Is rock salt safe for pets and plants?¶

Rock salt can irritate paws and harm plants and concrete if you use a lot. Use only a thin layer, rinse and wipe your pet's paws after walks, and consider pet safe de-icers or sand for grip. Keep all de-icers out of reach, since eating them can make pets sick.

Sources checked¶

This guide was checked against the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (United States) pages on preventing falls and on older adult falls, the National Weather Service (United States) winter safety guidance, the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons guidance on wrist fractures and winter falls, the American Red Cross first aid guidance for head injuries and fractures, the National Health Service (United Kingdom) advice on head injuries, falls and broken wrists, the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (United Kingdom) winter advice, the Canada Safety Council winter walking advice, and Health Canada winter safety pages. Where agencies differ, the more cautious advice is used.

Learn first aid¶

A hands-on first aid course teaches splinting, head injury checks, bleeding control and CPR with practice, which a page cannot do. The Red Cross, St John Ambulance and many local providers offer short courses. Taking one before winter prepares you to help a neighbor or relative who slips on ice.

संबंधित मार्गदर्शक¶

• तुटलेली हाडे आणि मोच
• डोक्याला दुखापत
• Elderly fall recovery when unable to stand
• फ्लॅश फ्रीझ आणि ब्लॅक आइस ड्रायव्हिंग
• Shoveling snow safely