The Raccoon Valley Radio-listening area has been inundated with snow and ice, with likely more to come this season, so residents should take precautions to avoid slips and injuries caused outdoors.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one out of every five falls causes a serious injury for older adults, and 30 million older adults fall each year, resulting in about 30,000 deaths. Guthrie County County Hospital Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner Sara Van Effen points out that these injuries can be prevented, “In general, we should all be wearing good-fitting well-supported shoes that have traction, staying active, wearing several layers. Warmer muscles do better if there is a fall than colder muscles, so wear those sweatshirts, wear jackets, hats, mittens, scarves, pile it on. It will mean less severe of an injury, if you can keep those muscles warm.”

Van Effen also advises people to be cautious and allow for extra time when walking outside during winter, and when getting in or out of a vehicle, first check to see if the ground looks slippery. If you have fallen, Van Effen advises older adults to take their time and assess how they are feeling as opposed to getting up immediately and potentially causing further injury.