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While most of us can appreciate the beauty of a snow-blanketed landscape, winter weather brings extra dangers to our doorstep. Falls are the leading cause of injury for older adults, resulting in 3 million ER visits annually and 1 million hospitalizations.1
Slippery surfaces from winter weather pose a predictable risk. And when we can predict, we can prepare.
How can I prevent falls in the winter?
Follow these five tips for winter preparedness to greatly reduce your risk of falling this season:
1. Educate yourself: Many of us underestimate our risk of falling, but the truth is that more than 1 in 4 older Americans fall every year. That’s why it’s important to understand the factors that contribute to falls and ways to prevent them. Simple steps, like doing exercises to improve balance and getting your hearing and vision checked regularly, can go a long way in helping you move around safely.
Deepen your falls prevention awareness by reading 6 Steps to Prevent a Fall. Share this article and downloadable infographic with older adults and caregivers you know.
2. Ask for a falls risk screening: When you visit your primary care provider, ask them to conduct a screening for falls risk, such as the STEADI fall risk screening. Use the results to discuss concerns and strategies to reduce your risk with your doctor, friends, and family.
Before your doctor visit, consider taking the Falls Free CheckUp as a starting point. Just answer a few questions to get your personal falls risk score and resources to help you stay safe.
3. Sprinkle cat litter on slick surfaces: You can reduce your risk of slipping on icy surfaces by creating even a little bit of traction. Cat litter is an easy, affordable way to achieve this. Choose an inexpensive clay litter product labeled "lightweight." Carry a small bag filled with litter in your pocket and toss a handful in front of you as you're walking on slick surfaces.
4. Create a falls-free environment at home: There are many tools that can be useful in reducing the risk of falls in your living spaces. Consider adding the following items to your shopping list—or yourself or someone you care about:
- Motion-sensored fall alarm systems
- Higher toilet seats
- Multifocal glasses with single vision eyeglass lenses
- Grab bars
- Firm stair railings
- Lights over stairways and by outside entrances
- A table to set down bags while finding keys
- Flashlights to attach to keys and clothing
- Bed rails to prevent nighttime falls
- Non-slip mats to place throughout house
- Reacher and grabber tools for accessing hard-to-reach items
5. "Winterize” shoes, boots, and assistive devices: To add another layer of winter safety to your daily footwear and assistive devices:
- Attach spike-less ice and snowgrip covers to soles of shoes for extra stability when walking on slippery surfaces. Look for these at sporting goods stores.
- Choose winter shoes with rubber soles to maintain traction on slippery surfaces.
- Attach an ice gripper cane tip that has spikes on the bottom to penetrate the ice and secure a firm grip. Ice grip tips can be purchased online.
- Take special precautions when using a wheelchair in the snow. This includes adding winter tires during colder months, engaging wheel locks when transferring, and keeping your cell phone handy in case you and your chair get stuck on a snowy sidewalk.
While these tips are great for winter weather, did you know you have the power to lower your risk of falling year-round? Visit our Falls Prevention resource page to learn more about steps you can take to stay safe in every season.
Sources
1. CDC. Older Adult Fall Prevention: Facts About Falls. January 27, 2026. Found on the internet at https://www.cdc.gov/falls/data-research/facts-stats/index.html
