topic Re: 👌🏾 If You Have to Fall on Ice 👍🏾 in Community Chat

👌🏾 If You Have to Fall on Ice 👍🏾

Mz iMac — Thu, 28 Dec 2017 02:43:05 GMT

We've all been there — the moment when we walk too fast on an icy day and lose our balance and know that we are going down. Hard.

Unfortunately, there isn't a magical trick that we can give you never to fall again. Or to fall gracefully.

But if you are going to fall, you might as well commit to it and make it safe.

We talked to Femi Olagoke, a professional stunt performer, who told us some of his best tips for falling safely.

Bend your knees

If you know you are going to fall, the best thing you can do is get closer to the ground. Think about it — falling from six feet off the ground will be more painful than falling from two feet off the ground.

So bend your knees. It'll instantly reduce the distance of your fall.

Keep your arms away

If you are about to fall, your natural reaction may be to use your arms to catch yourself.

Don't.

Using your arms to help break your fall may work at times, but it also may break your arm. Instead, cross your arms over your chest or simply keep them away from your body, so that they won't be crushed by the weight of the fall.

Fall on your side

If you can, try to fall on the side of your body.

Tuck your head

Most importantly, protect your head! Tuck your chin to your chest to help prevent your head from hitting the ground.

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Re: 👌🏾 If You Have to Fall on Ice 👍🏾

Carmie — Thu, 28 Dec 2017 05:13:22 GMT

@Mz iMac That is good advise. My father was horribly crippled by polio in both legs and he fell on occasion. He never would hurt himself because he kinda rolled up into a ball and protected himself.

When I fall on the ice, I always seem to land on my knees. A few times I landed on my bottom which was more comfortable.

I hope there is never a next time, but if there is, I hope I can tuck and roll.

Re: 👌🏾 If You Have to Fall on Ice 👍🏾

Noel7 — Thu, 28 Dec 2017 03:49:35 GMT

QVC used to sell Bear Tracks, I think the name was. Like structured cleats you pull over your shoes, they grip the ice and you don't fall.

My daughter worked for Congress in DC after college. During her first winter there, she told me about all of her friends getting hurt from falling on ice.

It just so happened, QVC was selling Bear Tracks at the time, I bought them and had them sent to her immediately. She never fell on ice after that, and all of her roommates sent for them also.

You can find something like them on Amazon, I just checked.

Re: 👌🏾 If You Have to Fall on Ice 👍🏾

RoughDraft — Thu, 28 Dec 2017 03:57:48 GMT

I should use Bear Tracks, a helmet and several "My Pillows" wrapped around my body. I was usually on the ground before I could garner any self-preserving body posture!

Re: 👌🏾 If You Have to Fall on Ice 👍🏾

on the bay — Thu, 28 Dec 2017 11:22:48 GMT

I got those ice protector things too!

From QVC a few years ago but mine are called"get a grip"

They really keep you from slipping.

I got my mother some too.

I think at the time they had these and yaktrax? (which they do have on Amazon and other places,, also several brands)

I just found these on QVC which actually are a pretty good price when compared to other places, Amazon included.

F09440-Due North Ice and snow cleats-$23.66

Oh and P.S.-

Walmart online also has a lot of Due North ice cleats and others-even better prices!

I think everyone should get some!

The only thing that might be a problem for people with arthritic or hurting hands, is you have to pull them over your boot or shoe which can take a little hand strength.

Re: 👌🏾 If You Have to Fall on Ice 👍🏾

AnnMarie-1 — Thu, 28 Dec 2017 05:51:04 GMT

I fell on ice March of this year, happened so fast I don't even know if I went forward or backwards, no time to think about how I should fall

broke my wrist & had to have surgery with plate & 12 screws, NO FUN

I am petrified of going out in this freezing cold we are having in western NY, ice all over & no melting as temps are lucky to get into the teens during the day

Be careful everyone!

Re: 👌🏾 If You Have to Fall on Ice 👍🏾

qualitygal — Thu, 28 Dec 2017 08:43:09 GMT

I fell on black ice once, I was down before I knew what hit me. No hurt or pain as a result which was lucky! No time to tense up or think of all those things in that situation. I'd sure hate to fall today. I'd probably be in traction.

Re: 👌🏾 If You Have to Fall on Ice 👍🏾

meallen616 — Thu, 28 Dec 2017 10:30:52 GMT

Thank you for posting such good advice,

Re: 👌🏾 If You Have to Fall on Ice 👍🏾

cancun08 — Thu, 28 Dec 2017 11:25:35 GMT

I bought Yak Trax from QVC years ago and just used them the other day. I was just thinking that I had better "Google" the name to see if I can get a backup pair....mine are really, really old. Lol

Re: 👌🏾 If You Have to Fall on Ice 👍🏾

Nataliesgramma — Thu, 28 Dec 2017 11:43:19 GMT

It's funny that this was posted yesterday.....because I fell on the ice on my daughter's driveway. I was holding a pie in my hand and not looking down.

I fell on my side, but luckily nothing is broken. My arm & shoulder area little sore, but that's it. I had on a really thick puffer coat and I think it cushion my fall......

Re: 👌🏾 If You Have to Fall on Ice 👍🏾

cancun08 — Thu, 28 Dec 2017 12:54:51 GMT

@on the bay

Thanks for your post about the Due North's. Just ordered a pair on Amazon. Now I can compare them to my Yak Trax.

Re: 👌🏾 If You Have to Fall on Ice 👍🏾

Vivian — Fri, 29 Dec 2017 01:24:59 GMT

I learned about falling on ice when I took up figure skating. I fell but never got hurt. I grabbed those cleats for my husband when they were featured on QVC. We live atop a long, steep driveway. No matter how much snow plowing we do, there are still slick spots, a scary in winter when we walk the dog. My husband is definitely accident prone. Over the years he has fallen countless times, but never on the driveway after he got those cleats.

Re: 👌🏾 If You Have to Fall on Ice 👍🏾

haddon9 — Thu, 28 Dec 2017 13:02:17 GMT

Good tips! Thanks!

We also have a few pairs of those ice cleats in the closet to use when it's icy out. I got them many years ago from QVC when they used to push "Yac Trax".. Surprised they don't present anything like them anymore since they really do work very well.

Re: 👌🏾 If You Have to Fall on Ice 👍🏾

cherry — Thu, 28 Dec 2017 13:05:16 GMT

I'll try to remember. Honestly a fall happens so fast ,you are on the ground before you know it.

I am not sure most people have the ability to break their fall, they just land.

Re: 👌🏾 If You Have to Fall on Ice 👍🏾

Marp — Thu, 28 Dec 2017 14:30:12 GMT

@cancun08 wrote:
I bought Yak Trax from QVC years ago and just used them the other day. I was just thinking that I had better "Google" the name to see if I can get a backup pair....mine are really, really old. Lol

I swear by my Yak Trax (also purchased from Q years ago) and they have saved me more than once. I have a pair permanently on my snow boots and keep a pair in my car "just in case" I'm out and about and run into an icy situation.

My SIL and nephew both have MS and SIL particularly is prone to falling and nephew has balance problems. They both received Yak Trax for Christmas.

Mine too are old so perhaps it is time to replace them even though the ones I have still seem strong and flexible.

Re: 👌🏾 If You Have to Fall on Ice 👍🏾

Sooner — Thu, 28 Dec 2017 14:40:18 GMT

When I had to go to work on ice, I'd pack an extra sweater and some of my papers and such or something soft and cushy in a big LL Bean tote and sort of slide this along beside me, or just carry it low to the ground, with the hope of falling on that if I could manage it to cushion the landing.

I got the idea when I was dragging a bag of stuff out to the car one day, slipped and fell on it. LOL!!!!

Re: 👌🏾 If You Have to Fall on Ice 👍🏾

aggravated — Thu, 28 Dec 2017 14:55:23 GMT

You know all this is great - but when you are falling it is unexpected and good luck remembering all these instructions. Fractured my wrist falling on ice.

Re: 👌🏾 If You Have to Fall on Ice 👍🏾

carba — Thu, 28 Dec 2017 15:01:59 GMT

For those that live where it snows all winter long, 'getr a grip' are a must! I live in Illinois once it starts snowing and the temperatures fall below zero, it is extremely dangerous to walk, I've had 'get a grip' for the past 6 years and I can say they are fantastic! unfortunately last year I wanted to feed a stray cat, I only put one foot down from my kitchen door and boom, I broke my hip and fractured my pelvis, having to spend Christmas and New years in the hospital, not to mention the pain and the inability to do the usual every day things we take for granted, I'm sure that if I would have had 'get a grip' on all that suffering, could have been avoided. I have 2 pairs of 'get a grip' although because of the fall I just cannot bring myself to venture out doors when theres snow on the ground.

Re: 👌🏾 If You Have to Fall on Ice 👍🏾

carba — Thu, 28 Dec 2017 15:45:46 GMT

The correct name is Due North, not get a grip. Just wanted to correct.

Re: 👌🏾 If You Have to Fall on Ice 👍🏾

wagirl — Thu, 28 Dec 2017 16:03:41 GMT

aggravated---me too--just this past Jan---black ice took me down in a heartbeat. Broke my wrist, had surgery and now a metal plate and 6 screws are my new accessory!! Was one of the most painful things ever--don't recall even taking a breathe before it happened let alone remembering how to land.