Icy weather means more slips, trips and falls: Vancouver Coastal Health warns

Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) is launching a Winter Care campaign to help keep your elderly family celebrating the holidays safely.

Data shows last year’s cold and icy weather led to more slips, trips, and hospital admissions for seniors during the holiday season.

VCH Emergency Medical Specialist Dr. Kendall Ho recommends following a few simple steps to keep everyone on their feet.

“We are encouraging our seniors to take important steps to maintain their health this winter, including reducing trip and slip hazards in the home, planning ahead to avoid rushing, and using shoes and boots that fit well and have non-slip soles,” said Ho.

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VCH warns that it isn’t only seniors at risk, those younger than 65 saw increased holiday hospital visits last year as well.

“The data is clear – be careful in cold and snowy weather because it puts all of us who live, work and play in the VCH region at higher risk of injury,” added Ho.

Although hospital visits are likely to see an increase as the icy weather creeps in, VCH Medical Health Officer Dr. Michael Schwandt assures they’ll be ready to help out at medical centres across the region.

“Even though winter can be a busy time of year, we want residents to be mindful of their health-care needs. Our hospitals, urgent primary care centres and community health centres are available to serve residents throughout the holiday and winter seasons.”