Slipping and falling on ice is almost a right of passage for Iowa residents, but that doesn’t mean people shouldn’t take steps to avoid doing so.

Clint Lutterman, Rehabilitation Director for 21st Century Rehab at Dallas County Hospital, offers advice on how to keep your footing this winter in icy conditions. “Everybody’s done it, it’s a part of living in Iowa, you know? Sometimes the ice gets covered up, you don’t see it, you step, and down you go. So the things to be aware of are just that: looking when you’re walking; making sure you’re checking your surroundings; (and) taking small steps. So they call it shuffling or ‘penguin walking.’ So you’re taking small steps (and) keeping your base of support fairly wide, so if something does slip you’ve got control.”

Lutterman also recommends placing both feet on the ground before getting out of your car to test how slick it is before standing. If you do find yourself falling, he emphasizes that the best thing to do is ignore your instinctive reaction. That means you should tuck in your arms and roll with the fall, as opposed to putting your hands out to try catching yourself. To learn more about this and other winter safety and exercise tips, click the link below to listen to the Perry Fareway Let’s Talk Dallas County program with Lutterman.

https://www.raccoonvalleyradio.com/2019/12/16/lets-talk-dallas-county-12-16-2019-clint-lutterman/