01/27/2026
The safest plan in this weather is to stay home if you can. The ice in our part of North Texas is so thick, we could not break through it to clear sidewalks or make snow angels.
Yesterday afternoon, we were feeling stir-crazy and decided to bundle up and go for a short walk around the neighborhood instead of driving anywhere. We took it slow, watched where we stepped, and avoided the roads since we saw many of the cars losing control. On our walk, we noticed that Pho Shi Bowl was open, so we stopped in and made sure to support them since we could get there safely on foot. My husband and I had the chicken pho, the kids had chicken ramen, and it was so delicious and so comforting on such a cold, icy day. That warm bowl of soup was our reward for planning ahead and making safety the priority.
One thing that really helped us feel steady: we wore **ice** cleats over our shoes, which gave us extra traction on slick spots so we weren’t shuffling around on pure ice. That little bit of prep made the difference between a risky outing and a safe, confidence-building walk.
Practical winter fall-prevention tips:
- Only go out if you truly need to; if possible, delay trips until conditions improve.
- If you must go out, choose walking to a nearby destination over driving when sidewalks and paths are safer than the roads.
- Wear shoes or boots with good tread, and consider ice cleats or other traction devices over your shoes for extra grip.
- Walk slowly, take shorter steps, and “walk like a penguin” (slight forward lean, feet pointed slightly out, hands free) on icy surfaces.
- Use handrails when available, and avoid carrying heavy or bulky items so you can keep your hands free for balance.
- Keep entryways and steps clear, use ice melt or sand, and wipe up melted snow indoors to prevent slick floors.
- Older adults or anyone with balance issues may benefit from a cane with an ice tip or a walking stick when conditions are slick
If you *do* have a fall:
Even with good planning, falls happen, and what you do next matters.
If you fall and hit your head and you take a blood thinner like Eliquis, Xarelto, Pradaxa, warfarin (Coumadin), Plavix, or another anticoagulant/antiplatelet, you have a higher risk of bleeding in the brain. That bleeding is not always obvious right away.
If you’re on one of these medicines and hit your head:
- Don’t “wait it out” or just lie down.
- Get checked in an ER or urgent care, even if you didn’t pass out and you feel mostly okay.
- Have someone watch for red flags: worsening headache, confusion, vomiting, weakness, trouble speaking, or vision changes—these need emergency care right away.
Other smart steps after a fall:
- If you can’t get up safely, don’t force it—stay warm and call for help.
- Let your healthcare team know about any fall so they can review meds, footwear, vision, and balance.
