When you have suffered from a traumatic brain injury, winter may seem more dangerous than any other season. With slick ice on the ground, you may feel wary about stepping foot outside. However, it is important to get out in the fresh air and be able to enjoy your day-to-day despite your TBI. TryMunity has collected a few ways that you can avoid dangerous slip-and-falls this winter.

1. Proper Shoes

When you go out in any type of icy weather, be sure to wear proper footwear. The right grip on your shoes can help provide more traction on an icy surface and prevent slip-and-falls. If you are on your way to a holiday party where thick-tread boots aren’t going to look fashionable, place more party-appropriate shoes in a bag and change when you arrive inside. While it may feel awkward, it is much better to change your footwear than risk a nasty fall.

2. Park in Your Garage

One of the most common places people slip-and-fall is on the way to their car. Parking in your garage can help minimize your exposure to your icy sidewalks and driveways. If you don’t have a garage, try your best to walk carefully and be aware of any ice near your car.

3. Salt Your Walkway

If you have a walkway or driveway at your home, it would be wise to give it a good salting during icy storms. This will help melt any accumulated ice and keep the area safe to walk on.

4. Walk with Purpose

Most slips happen when you aren’t paying close attention to where you are stepping. Make sure when the temperature drops that you pay close attention to every step you take. This can lessen the chance you will be caught off-guard by a patch of ice.

If you have questions, or just need support, join the TryMunity community today. No one should have to deal with TBI alone. We are all in this together!