Onset of winter
Five helpful tips for snow and slippery surfaces
Experts recommend walking with penguins when there is a lot of snow.
© Heiko Kueverling / Shutterstock.com
The German weather services have announced the first snow. With these five tips you will reach your destination safely in spite of the onset of winter.
Germany is facing the onset of winter. Especially in Bavaria, the German weather services have announced a lot of snow for the coming weekend. While some enjoy the white winter splendor, the weather also harbors dangers and sometimes creates chaos. You can expect black ice and black ice on the streets. If you want to get from A to B safely, you should follow these five tips.
Winter-proof footwear
The right footwear is an important criterion in snow and slippery conditions. It should be as wide as possible, have a good profile and a sole made of non-slip material. Less suitable shoes can be retrofitted by equipping them with so-called “spikes” or non-slip soles. Spikes are small points that are pulled onto the shoes for better adhesion to the ground. By the way: bicycle tires are also available with small spikes that make driving and braking easier on snow and ice.
The right gear
If you go outside the door, it is important to walk correctly on a smooth surface. The “German Society for Orthopedics and Trauma Surgery” (DGOU) advises pedestrians to walk with the penguin: When walking, the center of gravity should not be in the middle of the body, as is usually the case, but rather over the front and emerging leg. The foot touches down with the entire sole and points slightly outwards so that the loaded leg is at right angles to the ground. The forward leaning posture makes walking more stable. In order to be able to keep a good balance, it makes sense to wear gloves. In this way, the hands are not put in the jacket pocket and possible slipping can be balanced out.
Do not injure yourself if you fall
If a fall can no longer be avoided, serious injuries can at best be avoided by falling properly. If possible, hands and elbows should not be bent when falling to avoid the risk of breaking the wrist. The forearms should be placed in front of the face with outstretched hands so that the head is protected. In addition, a rounded back and the pulling of the chin towards the chest soften the impact.
Behave properly behind the wheel
It is not only pedestrians who have to walk with increased caution. Drivers have to adapt their driving behavior to the weather conditions. The ADAC gives the most important tips just in time for the onset of winter: Adjust the speed and keep enough distance, start in second gear on slippery roads, do not steer jerkily, disengage the clutch when skidding, brake and counter-steer quickly but carefully.
Don’t get stressed
Whether on foot, by bike or by car – in the winter months it is important to take your time to avoid accidents and falls. This also means that enough time must be planned for the journey. The car should be started earlier than usual if it cannot be left anyway. A morning look at the weather report on the radio, TV and online is helpful for scheduling.