As beautiful as winter most certainly can be, with crisp blue skies and bright sunshine, it can also pose a significant risk to health when Jack Frost comes a-visiting, coating everything in sight with ice.
If you’re safely ensconced at home, this isn’t a problem and you can simply sit and marvel at the sparkle from the comfort of your favourite armchair.
But if you need to go outside, you must make sure that you’re particularly careful as you go, as black ice is often found at this time of year and this can make travelling from A to B incredibly treacherous for one and all.
What is black ice?
Quite simply, black ice is a thin coating of transparent ice that forms on roads and pavements.
It’s particularly hard to see, which is why it poses such a risk, and if it builds up in a shady spot it may not melt if no sunlight reaches it. It can also be hidden by light dustings of snow, making it even harder for you to spot it.
Furthermore, you can also be tricked into thinking that there’s no ice outside when the air temperature rises above freezing, so you may be less careful when you’re walking around.
What to do about black ice
We always advise our home care clients to be especially vigilant at this time of year, as slips, trips and falls can cause significant injuries.
Avoid going outside when black ice might have formed, but if you do have to leave the house make sure that you walk with short, shuffling steps while keeping your feet flat. Move with your centre of gravity forwards and hold your arms out to the side to help you keep your balance.
Also think about your choice of footwear. Make sure that your shoes fit you well and that they have good grip to help prevent slips.
It can also be beneficial not to wear headphones while walking outside during winter so your focus isn’t distracted. And avoid carrying anything unnecessary, as this can also affect your balance and make it more likely that you’ll fall.
How to drive on black ice
Again, our best advice during winter is to only make necessary driving trips. Always check the weather before leaving the house and decide ahead of time if it’s safe to travel.
If you do have to drive, remember that your tyre grip will be significantly reduced if there’s ice on the road and your braking distances will be longer.
Before going anywhere, make sure your phone is fully charged and take a charger with you just in case, as well as water, food and a blanket. Let people know what your route is, when you leave and when you expect to arrive.
