On the pavement at 7am, it’s a very different story for your hips.
Across the UK and US, emergency departments see a sharp rise in falls as soon as pavements turn glassy. Commuters hurry, kids rush to school, and one invisible strip of black ice can send anyone crashing to the ground.
Dress your feet for the weather, not the outfit
The simplest way to stay upright starts with your shoes. Fashion trainers and smooth leather soles behave like skates on frozen pavements.
Pick sturdy footwear with deep tread and grippy rubber soles. Ankle boots that support and wrap the ankle reduce the risk of twists when you slip slightly.
Think of winter shoes as equipment, not an accessory. Traction under your feet matters more than colour on top.
For people who walk a lot, slip-on traction aids can help. These are rubber or metal crampons that stretch over your existing shoes and dig into compacted snow and ice. They’re inexpensive, light to carry in a bag, and make a real difference on long icy commutes.
There’s also a low‑tech trick some locals swear by: pulling thick sports socks over your winter boots. The fabric creates extra friction on ice. The socks will be ruined by the end of the day, but the cost beats a fractured wrist.
Follow the snow, not the shine
Fresh snow, the fluffy kind that squeaks when you step, usually offers better grip than shiny patches of compacted ice.
If you can choose your route, aim for snow that looks untouched rather than sections that have been flattened and refrozen by pedestrians or cars.
Bright white, slightly crunchy snow gives more hold underfoot than dull, glassy surfaces where you can almost see a reflection.
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That said, snow can hide surprises: kerbs, potholes and uneven paving slabs. Move slowly, feel with your feet and avoid stepping where you cannot guess the ground level, especially near the edge of pavements or on driveways.
Walk like a penguin, not like you’re late
Normal walking pushes your weight forward, which works on dry ground but turns risky on ice. A safer “penguin walk” changes how your weight moves.
How to do the penguin walk
- Keep your feet slightly wider than usual for a solid base.
- Bend your knees a little and lower your centre of gravity.
- Lean your body slightly forward so your weight stays over your front foot.
- Take small, flat steps, placing your whole foot down at once.
- Let your arms hang out to the sides for balance, not pinned to your body.
You may feel a bit silly. People might stare less once they see you stay upright while others slide.
Free your hands and balance your load
Handbags, tote bags and briefcases all pull your body to one side. On an icy pavement, that extra drag can tip you over.
A backpack spreads weight evenly and keeps your centre of gravity close to your spine. It also leaves both hands free to steady yourself on railings, fences or walls.
On ice, your hands are tools for balance and self‑protection. Don’t lock them inside pockets or shopping bags.
If you must carry shopping, split the weight into two smaller bags so you can balance each side. Avoid stacking items so high that you can’t see the ground in front of you.
Slow down and scan ahead
Speed is the enemy of stability. Rushing for the bus or sprinting to the office door turns minor slips into heavy falls.
Shorten your stride and place each foot carefully. Test suspicious-looking patches gently with your toe before putting full weight down.
Keep your head up and your eyes looking several steps ahead, not just at your shoes. This helps your body prepare and adjust balance before you reach an icy patch.
Plan extra time for any winter journey on foot. A calm, slow walk beats a rushed, painful skid to the ground.
Keep your hands out of your pockets
Cold fingers tempt us to bury our hands deep in coat pockets. That simple habit increases the danger of serious injury.
With hands trapped, you have less control of your balance. If you do fall, your body may hit the ground hard before any part of you can soften the impact.
Wear insulated gloves or mittens instead. This way you can swing your arms for balance and throw them out to protect your head and torso if you slip.
Choose your side of the street wisely
On bright winter days, one pavement often gets more sun than the other. That side usually thaws first and refreezes later.
Where you have a choice, walk on the sunny pavement. Even a small rise in surface temperature can soften the ice.
| Surface | Typical grip level |
|---|---|
| Shady black ice | Very low |
| Sunlit, partly melted pavement | Medium |
| Fresh, unpacked snow | Medium to high |
In narrow alleys or under trees, sunlight might not reach the ground at all. In those spots, favour fresh snow over shiny tracks and be particularly careful on steps. Stairs can hide invisible sheets of ice under a dusting of snow, especially near edges and handrails.
Use walking poles or makeshift supports
For older adults, pregnant people, or anyone with balance issues, extra support can be the difference between a safe walk and a hospital visit.
Adjustable walking poles or trekking sticks, sold in outdoor shops, give two extra points of contact with the ground. Fitted correctly, they help you test the surface ahead and catch yourself during a slip.
Think of poles as temporary extra legs: they spread your weight and buy you vital seconds when your feet slide.
If you don’t have poles, a sturdy umbrella or walking stick can offer some help, though it won’t bite into ice as well as a spiked pole.
Learn how to fall with less damage
No precaution removes all risk. When a fall is unavoidable, the way you land can reduce injuries.
What to do if you slip forwards or backwards
- Falling forwards: Try to bend your elbows and let your forearms, not your fully outstretched hands, take the first contact. Turn your body slightly and roll across your side if you can, spreading the impact.
- Falling backwards: Tuck your chin towards your chest to protect your head. Aim to land on your buttocks and the side of your hip, not directly on your spine or straight arms.
Resist the instinct to throw both hands out stiffly. That move is strongly linked to broken wrists. Slightly bent joints absorb shocks better than locked ones.
Reading winter risk like a professional
Two terms often heard in weather forecasts are worth unpacking: “black ice” and “wind chill”. Black ice is a thin, almost invisible layer of ice on roads and pavements. It forms when wet surfaces freeze quickly. You rarely see it until you’re already on it.
Wind chill is how cold it feels when wind strips heat from your skin. A mild air temperature combined with strong wind can still numb your fingers and slow your reactions. Numb feet and hands make it harder to correct a wobble on ice.
Think about a short scenario: an early morning school run, light rain overnight, the temperature hovering just below zero. Pavements that looked simply wet in the dark can be frosted glass by the time you step outside. In that situation, every tactic above—good soles, penguin steps, hands free, backpack instead of tote—stacks the odds in your favour.
Winter walks do not need to feel like an extreme sport. By adjusting your clothing, pace and route, and by accepting that looking slightly awkward is better than being injured, you can move through snow and ice with far more confidence.
