Flash freeze after wild swings in Ontario weather create prime slipping conditions
The wild swing in winter weather, from record-breaking highs to freezing rain in the span of hours, has created prime conditions for slipping and falling in Toronto on Wednesday.
Hillary Pilanik recently had to visit an emergency room when she broke her wrist in a slip and fall accident.
“The whole thing happened so fast. One minute I was walking and the next I was on the ground," Pilanik said.
Catherine Malm-Green also slipped on her icy driveway and is thankful she wasn't seriously hurt. “All I know is I hit my head very hard," said Malm-Green.
It’s estimated tens of thousands of Canadians suffer injuries every year from slipping on streets and sidewalks covered in snow and ice.
Consumer Reports (CR) said it doesn’t take much to end up with a sprained ankle or a much more serious broken hip when there are icy conditions.
Paul Hope with CR said a good first step is using rock salt or ice melters on your walkways and driveway around your home.
Before a storm, lay down a thin layer of salt and then another layer during the storm as it can make it easier to shovel and clear away snow and ice.
However, there are some downsides as salt can seep into porous pavement and damage walkways and driveways.
"They are all basically made up of one of three compounds sodium chloride, magnesium chloride or calcium chloride. They worked slightly differently but in the end they all can cause damage,” Hope said.
Salt can also harm plants and your pets’ paws so Hope said the best way to minimize damage is to try and use less.
You can mix in an abrasive like sand for added traction that Hope said doesn’t put a lot of stock in ice melts claiming to be environmentally or pet-friendly.
“Ice melts with a coating on them may claim to be less damaging, but practically speaking, they’re not once the coating wears off, you’re just left with salt anyway,” Hope said.
A better plan is to set up a rinse tray with water at your door’s entrance so you can wash salt from your pet’s paws.
CR also advises when you go for a walk to choose the right footwear such as boots with non-skid rubber treads.
For even more traction consider a pair of ice cleats, also known as ice spikes, crampons, nano-spikes and microspikes. They attach to your shoes with rubber harnesses or straps and have spikes or screw heads that dig into the ice to keep you from slipping.
Ice spikes are great for traction especially if you're into winter running or hiking, but they can seriously damage flooring so remember to take them off before you step inside.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.6977430.1721929538!/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.jpg)
'There's mom and dad's house': New video appears to show destruction of Jasper neighbourhood
Video posted to social media on Thursday morning appears to show the charred remains of a Jasper, Alta., neighbourhood.
Multiple homes, businesses 'lost' to wildfire in Jasper National Park: Parks Canada
Officials from Parks Canada and Jasper say "multiple structures, including a number of businesses and homes, in and around the town of Jasper, have been lost" to wildfire in Jasper National Park.
Prince William's 2023 salary revealed in new report
Newly released financial reports show that William, the Prince of Wales, drew a salary of $42.1 million last fiscal year, his first since inheriting the vast and lucrative Duchy of Cornwall.
Alberta premier says a third, perhaps half, of all Jasper buildings destroyed by fire
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says early reports indicate a third and perhaps up to half of all buildings in the historic Rocky Mountain resort town of Jasper have been destroyed in a wildfire.
Canada to bring home fewest Olympic medals since 2012, according to forecaster
Fewer Canadians are expected to reach the Paris podium than in the previous two Olympic Summer Games, a global data analytics company predicts.
Jennifer Aniston criticizes JD Vance for 'childless cat ladies' remarks: 'I pray that your daughter is fortunate enough to bear children'
Jennifer Aniston is criticizing JD Vance for comments he made in his past about women without children.
'Skibidi Toilet:' If you don't know what it is, you will
'Skibidi Toilet' is already an internet sensation and now its about to get even more exposure after the YouTube series is being developed for TV and film, according to a report by Variety.
NASA says no return date yet for astronauts and Boeing capsule at space station
Already more than a month late getting back, two NASA astronauts will remain at the International Space Station until engineers finish working on problems plaguing their Boeing capsule, officials said Thursday.
French sprinter will wear a cap during Olympic opening ceremony after hijab dispute is resolved
French sprinter Sounkamba Sylla will be allowed to participate in the opening ceremony at the Paris Olympics wearing a cap to cover her hair, an agreement reached with the French Olympic Committee after Sylla said she was barred because of her hijab.