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Trip and Falls in the Summer: Safety Risks, Common Causes, & Prevention
Summer brings plenty of warm weather and sunshine, but fun outdoor activities bring increased risks of trip and fall accidents. Learn how to stay safer this summer with our complete guide to slip and fall risks, prevention, and next steps if an accident happens.
Why are Trip and Falls More Common in Summer?
In Ontario, we often associate slip-and-fall injury with ice, snow, and all the risks that come with the cold winter months. With pools, water sports, biking, and all sorts of other activities, summer also comes with some major risks of personal injury.
How many serious injuries per year occur because of slips, trips, and falls?
Slip and fall injuries are incredibly common, resulting in nearly 60% of all injury hospitalizations and emergency visits and 162,222 injuries between 2020 and 2021.
But what are the risk assessment for slips, trips, and falls?
What are the hazards of trip and fall?
- Wet Surfaces. We cool off and have fun in pools, amusement parks, and water parks, but wet surfaces are impossible to keep dry. Even freshly mopped floors can cause an issue. Every surface is more slippery when wet, and risks increase if you’re having fun and moving quickly.
- Uneven Surfaces. We’re fortunate to live in a beautiful region close to waterfalls, the escarpment, and plenty of hiking trails. That loose gravel, tree roots, and even uneven pavement are enough to cause someone to lose footing and injure themselves.
- Summer Activity. We all try to take advantage of the warm weather while we have it, but more intensive activities increase risk of slip & falls. Even simply being more fatigued can leave us with less coordination and balance, making it easier to fall on even relatively safe surfaces.
- Summer Footwear. Sandals and flip-flops are summer mainstays, but these shoes aren’t as supportive as running shoes or winter boots with proper traction and ankle support. Keeping your feet cool also puts you at an elevated risk of injury.
Common Summer Trip and Fall Injuries
Slip and fall injuries are all under one umbrella based on their cause, but they vary widely by symptom and injury.
While nearly any fall can range from mild to severe, these are the most common injuries we see in summer accidents:
- Wrist Fractures
- Head, Neck, and Back Injuries or TBIs
- Ankle or Hip Fractures
- Sprains, Muscle Tears, and Strains
4 Tips to Prevent Summer Trip and Fall Accidents
Now that you know what you’re dealing with, the great news is that nearly every trip and fall accident is preventable. With some awareness and planning, you can enjoy a summer of fun without worrying about an injury holding you back.
Tip #1: Stay aware of your surroundings.
A slip fall injury can happen in an instant when we least expect it. Though we shouldn’t walk around guarded 24/7, paying attention when you walk can help you spot potential hazards and navigate them carefully. Don’t scroll on your smartphone as you walk and keep an eye out while in crowded or hazardous areas, like around a pool deck.
Tip #2: Invest in supportive footwear.
While flip-flops and sandals are often cheap and flimsy, investing in a sturdier pair with good treads can provide good traction and better foot support to keep your walking in good form all day long. Avoid wearing sandals anywhere there might be wet surfaces or uneven terrain, and invest in good versions of these shoes where you can’t avoid using them.
Tip #3: Move mindfully.
Don’t run to the diving board when you’re having a good time at the pool. Don’t rush when you’re walking; keep a moderate pace that allows you to move safely over uneven surfaces and elevation changes. Use handrails around a pool, and watch for water puddling on the ground.
Tip #4: Carry slowly within your limits.
If you need to carry something heavy, wear proper footwear, lift within your weight limits, and ask for assistance when needed.
What to Do After a Summer Trip and Fall Accident
Using these tips to manage risk in summer slip and falls, you’ll prevent almost every potential injury. Still, there are times when these personal injuries are unavoidable, and you need to move quickly and carefully to manage recovery and legal risks with the help of slip and fall lawyers.
If you experience a trip and fall accident, move quickly to:
- Seek medical attention ASAP. Don’t let your carefree summer vibes make you dismiss a slip and fall – dusting yourself off and getting back to it can lead to major issues later. Adrenaline can mask injuries in the hours afterward, and internal bleeding can be undetectable without a medical exam. At the very least, seeing a doctor will give you peace of mind that you’re not ignoring your injuries. If you are seriously injured, having documentation can help you start treatment ASAP and offer legal protection later.
- Fully document the scene. You may need to prove your injuries to an insurance company or legal court, so take photos of the slip and fall scene and any hazards that contributed to the fall. Take the contact information from any witnesses on the scene so you can call them later if you need corroboration of your story.
- Report the accident. If your accident happened on public or private property, you must report it to any relevant managers or owners. You need to create a record of the incident, including these communications if you decide to pursue legal action. Plus, letting the right people know about the hazard is crucial to preventing future accidents.
- Contact a personal injury lawyer. Injury is often the result of another party’s negligence, and you should contact an accident lawyer who can help you understand your legal rights. You need a legal advocate so you’re not left on the hook to pay for mounting legal bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more.
The Morris Law Group—Ontario Slip and Fall Lawyers Near Me
We hope you have a fun and injury-free summer, but we’re here for you if something goes awry.
Our Hamilton personal accident lawyers are ready to help you through your slip and fall injury and get you back to normal. We’re here as your advocates to help you navigate the complicated insurance and legal systems so you don’t have to. Request a free consultation or call us at 905-526-8080 to learn more.
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