Most Connecticut residents associate slip-and-fall injuries with the winter months. They think of ice and snow as the main contributing risk factors to somebody falling and getting hurt in a public place.
There is little question that winter precipitation can lead to people falling and getting hurt. However, as soon as temperatures start dropping at the end of the summer, slip-and-fall risks start increasing. Autumn is also a season where people can easily end up hurt if they rush around, wear the wrong shoes or enter a poorly-maintained property.
Why does your risk of slipping and getting hurt increase in the fall?
Fall precipitation can be quite risky
Fall mornings are often quite wet. In fact, there may still be fog visible when you leave for work. All of that moisture can make parking lots, sidewalks and the entrance ways into businesses dangerously slippery.
Wet floors can be a slipping hazard any time of the year, but fall weather can be particularly insidious because of how small amounts of moisture accumulate to make surfaces unsafe.
Falling leaves are another risk factor
The deciduous tree leaves that drop in autumn can put on a colorful display that makes the season seem almost magical. However, those leaves are also a major safety risk.
They often follow people into buildings and can pose an unexpected slipping hazard near entranceways. They are also dangerous in parking lots and on sidewalks, where they can accumulate and cause people to slip or they can hide other tripping and slipping hazards just out of sight.
Lower light levels earlier in the day can lead to injuries
With the sun coming up a little later and setting a little sooner, reduced visibility is a concern. Running errands the same time you usually do after work could mean dealing with low light levels even at a time that was brightly lit just a few months ago.
The changing light levels will affect the visibility of obstacles on sidewalks and can also affect your biological clock, making you feel more tired earlier in the day. People who feel fatigued may not observe their surroundings as closely and may fail to notice risk factors.
Recognizing seasonal factors that increase your risk of a slip-and-fall injury can help you stay safer and take appropriate action if you do get hurt.
