BLACK ICE COULD BE DANGEROUS--BE CAREFUL
Black ice is predicted for tomorrow morning. The warm weather this afternoon will dip to freezing. Black ice-which is almost invisible, forms when the air temperature is warmer than pavement. This causes moisture to freeze and create a thin transparent layer of ice on the roadway or sidewalk.

Many hospitals experience more visits to the emergency rooms because people slip and fall while walking on black ice. If a persons head hits the ground after a fall it could create life threatening conditions. Older people, especially those who have some balance problems, should be extra careful.

During the winter, one hazard to be mindful of when behind the wheel is black ice. • Be especially careful when driving on bridges and overpasses , and in the early morning when the air temperature rises faster than the pavement temperature.

• Never brake while driving on ice. Applying pressure to your brakes while on black ice will cause a vehicle to skid. Brake only during your approach.
• Keep your distance. The distance needed to stop on black ice is twice as long as for normal driving circumstances. Keep at least a three-car distance behind the vehicle in front of you.

Walking on snow or ice when it’s cold outside can be an difficult endeavor. Thousands of people suffer serious injuries every year because they lose their footing in icy or slippery conditions. Whether they occur in the workplace, at home, or anywhere else, winter slip and fall accidents are all-too-common.

 Statistics FROM SLIP AND FALL INJURIES-better to be scared that injured!

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that about 1 million Americans are injured, and 17,000 people die, as a result of slip and fall injuries every year.

About half of all people injured in slip and fall injuries are walking on level ground when they slip. These types of injuries are also a significant danger to seniors. About one out of every three people age 65 or older will fall each year.

Slip and fall injuries in cold and icy conditions tend to occur because of one of two main reasons. First, slippery surfaces caused by melting snow, slush, sleet, or ice can make walking, and even standing, much more dangerous. Second, the repeated thawing and freezing of ice and water can cause walking surfaces to buckle and crack. These impediments often go unnoticed when concealed under snow or ice, making them all the more dangerous.

Paul Feiner