From low visibility on the road to icy sidewalks, there are many ways that someone can suffer an injury in the winter. And sometimes, it\u2019s not our fault.<\/p>\n
Here are 11 essential winter safety tips that everyone needs to know to get through the winter season. While these won\u2019t help you prevent accidents completely, they\u2019ll help you stay prepared.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Canadian winter weather conditions can change from one minute to the next. Always check the weather<\/a> before you leave the house, and be aware of any predicted storms coming your way.<\/p>\n When there\u2019s a storm coming, consider how badly you need to leave your home. Are you just going to visit a friend, or are you going to work? Can you justify waiting out the storm?<\/p>\n If you really need to leave the house, take extra precautions and bring a survival kit with you. Bring an extra coat, hat, scarf, and gloves, as well as some extra wiper fluid or salt incase you get stuck.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ontario drivers already understand the value of safe driving in winter<\/strong>. Not only could safe driving save your life, but it could also save the lives of other drivers.<\/p>\n Understand the best winter driving tips<\/a> and safety precautions before you hit the road. These precautions include lowering speed, snow removal from the roof of your car, and keeping a safe distance behind other cars.<\/p>\n Additionally, in Ontario winter tires get you a discount on your car insurance, so there\u2019s even more incentive for being safe.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ontario sidewalk shovelling\u00a0laws<\/strong> state that if you are a homeowner, you\u2019re responsible for shoveling your sidewalk. In major cities, mechanical snow shovelling services will clear sidewalks in busy downtown areas and on public property, but you are responsible for your own property.<\/p>\n In Toronto, home or business owners are required to clear the sidewalks in front of their buildings within 12 hours of a snowfall<\/strong>. If you neglect to do this, you could face a $100 fine<\/a> and a potential personal injury lawsuit if anyone slips and falls on your property.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n If you\u2019re walking in the winter, make sure you\u2019re wearing proper winter boots. When you slip and fall<\/a> on ice, winter boots can help absorb the impact or prevent you from slipping as much.<\/p>\n Additionally, your case might not be as strong if the courts see that you didn\u2019t bother to wear proper winter footwear, as this can be considered partially your own fault.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Snowmobiling in Ontario<\/strong> is an awesome way to enjoy the weather and get out and have some fun. But there are laws in this province that you need to follow to stay safe.<\/p>\n In addition, there are regulations about where and when you can snowmobile, for your safety and the safety of other drivers.<\/p>\n Get the best snowmobiling tips<\/a> and read up on the laws before you head out.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Canadians know how to make the most out of a cold, snowy winter. Outdoor activities, like hiking, camping, snowshoeing, and cross country skiing, are fun ways to get outdoors<\/a>, but they require certain winter safety precautions<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Always tell someone where you\u2019re going and how long you\u2019re going to be. Plan to get back to your campsite or at home by sunset so you don\u2019t get caught in the dark, when temperatures and visibility drop.<\/p>\n Additionally, be sure to wear layers and account for extra food or clothing in case of an emergency.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n When there\u2019s a storm, you don\u2019t always have time to run out and buy more salt or sand if you run out. If you didn\u2019t check your supply before the storm hit, and you\u2019re a cat owner, you have a backup on hand.<\/p>\n Cat litter can provide traction<\/a> on ice when you don\u2019t have salt or sand. It won\u2019t last for a long time, but it will help until you can get some proper salt.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n If you travel anywhere, regardless of the season, you should have an emergency car kit<\/strong> in your vehicle. Keep it stocked<\/a> with essentials like extra food and water, blankets, and flashlights.<\/p>\n For winter driving, your emergency car kit should include a few extra things, like a folding shovel, salt or sand, and gloves or hats.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Did you know that consuming nicotine or caffeine before you shovel snow can actually decrease your heart rate and can potentially cause<\/a> your blood vessels to constrict? This is dangerous and could cause a heart attack or other cardiovascular problems from the strain of shoveling.<\/p>\n It\u2019s also important to warm up before you start shoveling<\/strong>. Shoveling is a workout in itself! Just like you would at the gym, warming up before shoveling could prevent back and muscle injuries.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n If you slip and fall on ice, you need to have your hands free to break your fall. Don\u2019t keep them in your pockets, where you won\u2019t get them out in time.<\/p>\n Additionally, avoid carrying things or using your phone while you walk so you can have them ready in the case of an accident. This will also help you keep your balance and avoid falling in the first place.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n If you slip and fall on ice not cleared properly, and you decide to take the injury to court, you\u2019ll need to take photos as soon as the accident happens<\/strong>.<\/p>\n In the winter, ice and snow conditions can change within a few hours<\/strong>. Ice and snow can melt, leaving you with little proof that the ice you slipped on was there in the first place.<\/p>\n Always make sure you take pictures immediately to help build your case and get the right settlement.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Slipped on an icy sidewalk? Rear-ended by someone who didn\u2019t have snow tires? Conte & Associates can help.<\/p>\n We know that accidents happen, but when it\u2019s someone else\u2019s fault, they need to be held accountable<\/strong>. That\u2019s why we fight for you.<\/p>\n Our team of aggressive and experienced personal injury lawyers in Toronto<\/strong> will get you the settlement you deserve. It\u2019s time to move on with your life, and we\u2019ll help you get started.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n![\"Snow](\"https:\/\/contelawyers.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/4.jpg\")
1. Always Check Weather Conditions<\/h3>\n
![\"](\"https:\/\/contelawyers.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/6.jpg\" "\\"Best")
2. Practice Safe Driving in Winter<\/h3>\n
3. Pay Attention to Sidewalk Shovelling Laws<\/h3>\n
![\"Snow](\"https:\/\/contelawyers.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/1.jpg\" "\\"Snow")
4. Wear Proper Winter Clothing<\/h3>\n
5. Obey Ontario Snowmobiling Laws<\/h3>\n
![\"Snowboarding](\"https:\/\/contelawyers.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/snowmobile1.jpg\" "\\"Snowboarding")
6. Hike, Camp, or Cross Country Ski With Caution<\/h3>\n
7. Cat Litter Can Provide Traction in a Pinch<\/h3>\n
![\"How](\"https:\/\/contelawyers.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/5.jpg\" "\\"How")
8. Keep an Emergency Car Kit<\/h3>\n
9. Take Precautions Before You Start Shoveling Snow<\/h3>\n
10. Keep Your Hands Out of Your Pockets and Free While You Walk<\/h3>\n
![\"Slip](\"https:\/\/contelawyers.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/slipfall3.jpg\" "\\"How")
11. Take Pictures of Any Accidents<\/h3>\n
![\"Best](\"https:\/\/contelawyers.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/3-1.jpg\" "\\"Best")
If You Suffer a Winter Injury, Contact Conte & Associates Now<\/h3>\n
Contact<\/a> Conte & Associates today to book your free consultation. Accidents can change your life, but we can change the outcome.<\/strong><\/h3>\n
![\"Top](\"https:\/\/contelawyers.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/cta_3-1.jpg\")
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