Safety tips

. Avoid wearing high-heeled shoes or boots outdoors. Instead, wear flat shoes with slip-resistant soles or rain/snow boots, which provide traction.

. Take short, flat steps. The heels and soles of your shoes should contact the ground for as long as possible.

. Remove shoes and boots when indoors. Snow and ice often stick to the soles and will melt almost immediately. The result is a slippery surface that creates a risk of a fall.

. Use rock salt or other chemical de-icing compound to keep steps and walkways as free of ice as possible.

. If uncertain whether the sidewalk or street is slippery, walk slowly with your feet pointing outward. This position helps you brace yourself, protecting against falls.

Information from the National Safety Council: www.nsc.org