One problem that doctors see often during the winter season is a large increase in the number of falls. In fact, many people will need surgery performed by an orthopaedic surgeon because of a bad slip and fall that has occurred in the winter. To ensure that this isn't something you need to worry about, you must consider these three tips:

Choose the Right Footwear: 

During the winter, you need to wear shoes that are suitable for walking in icy and snowy conditions. Otherwise, falls are bound to happen. Besides, if you are wearing footwear designed for these weather conditions, you don't have to worry about your feet getting too cold, which could otherwise lead to frostbite. You will definitely be much more comfortable and safer. You should be wearing boots that have a thick sole with good tread. This way, you are much less likely to slip and fall since the tread will grip more easily with the floor. If you want to wear heels because you are going to an event, it's best to put them on when you arrive instead of walking in the snow with them. You should swap them out with your boots when you need to. 

Make Sure Your Home is Well Lit:

The winter season is much darker than other times of the year and it's also much wetter. With this in mind, it's important that your home is well lit to prevent falls, especially near the entrances of your home. These areas are going to be wet from tracking in the snow and ice from your shoes. The hall light should be bright for this reason. The walkway to your home should also be well lit to help you avoid walking onto large chunks of ice or running into large piles of snow that can make you trip and fall. 

Leave Early: 

When leaving your home for any appointments or get-togethers, always leave a little bit earlier than you normally would. This will give you time to find the safest way to get your car if you are parked in the driveway or on the street. If you're running late, you're much more likely to make a direct line to your car, which is not always the safest option, especially when walking fast. 

When you consider these three tips for preventing slips and falls in the winter, you can be sure that you avoid having to suffer potentially serious consequences of those falls. For more information, contact a business such as Orthopaedic Associates Of Rochester.