Exercise Caution When Navigating Icy Walkways

Freezing rain and icy conditions Tuesday could create dangerous conditions, especially for porches and walkways.

Clay County EMA Director Kyle Haney said when these conditions occur, the department tends to see an uptick in orthopedic injuries from individuals falling and hurt themselves. He said this is most common with the older population. Haney said these events bring concerns both for bodily injury and weather exposure.

“Initially, it would be the orthopedic injury but we have concerns if the elderly or even someone my age if it incapacitates them and they have to deal with the elements and the decreased temperatures,” Haney said.  “And them being alone and maybe being unconscious and no one finding them for extended periods of time.”

Haney said in these kinds of conditions, the best thing you can do is salt the ground if possible and to wear high-tread boots. He said he advises people to walk slowly and with their hands out of their pockets in case they need to catch their balance.

Jackson County EMA Spokesperson Derek Woolbright  said if you absolutely have to go outside, dress accordingly for the weather and keep a communication device at hand. Woolbright said even if it is just a quick trip to the garage or to the mailbox, in this weather there is always the possibility of an incident.

“If you don’t have to be out in winter weather, if you don’t have to be traveling, don’t, just stay home and stay in until it goes away,” Woolbright said. “Especially with what we’re looking at coming in tonight and tomorrow morning, it appears as thought it’s going to be short-lived. So unless you absolutely have to be out and travel during that time, just don’t, just wait until it’s a little safer.”