Winter weather is upon us. Here’s how to walk on ice without falling on your butt

Snow and ice have already wreaked havoc on much of the country.

Many people are terrified of stepping foot outside their doors for fear of slipping on ice and falling down.

But whether you have a bad back, a collection of sports injuries or just an aversion to bruising your behind, here are a few tips to help keep you upright when walking in wintry conditions.

Do the penguin (aka: lean forward)

Typically when you walk, your weight is split between your legs mid-stride, according to a Facebook post by the Lake Zurich Fire Rescue Department. This means that when walking normally on ice, your legs aren’t perpendicular to the ground and the angle can make you slip and fall, the post says.

Instead, try walking like a penguin with your torso leaning slightly forward to help keep your center of gravity over your legs, according to the graphic from Tablet Infographics, posted by the fire department.

Try the “Winter Shuffle”

In icy conditions, smaller steps are your friend, according to the Environmental Health and Safety department at Iowa State University. Taking short steps or “shuffling” can help improve your stability when traversing the icy tundra of your driveway.

They also suggest keeping your hands out of your pockets.

Wear the right shoes

You don’t need us to tell you to leave your high heels at home when walking on ice, but any old flat may not cut the mustard.

The team at Iowa State recommends using flat-soled shoes with either neoprene or rubber soles to help you get the best traction. Cleats and other shoes with “abrasive soles” can also be a huge help in keeping you upright, they say.

Plastic or leather soles likely won’t do much for you, according to the department.

Avoid stairs and other inclines

Glaciologist and professor Mark Fahnestock says gravity is out to get you on stairs and slopes, according to Mental Floss.

“If it’s slanted where your foot meets a driveway, for example, it’s not holding your weight — rather, it’s your weight that’s causing your foot to move,” Fahnestock told the outlet. “Gravity is going to do its thing whether you like it or not.”

If you do use stairs, the team at Iowa State says to take your time and use any handrails at your disposal for stability.

What to do if you do fall

Despite our best efforts, falls still happen and you should always be prepared for things to go awry.

If you do fall, the team at Iowa State says to avoid extending your arms to try to catch yourself. Instead, try to fall such that your thighs hit first, then your hips, then your shoulders, they say.

And of course, always make sure your back and head are bent forward to avoid hitting your head on the ice, according to the department.

This story was originally published December 17, 2019 at 9:45 AM with the headline "Winter weather is upon us. Here’s how to walk on ice without falling on your butt."