Stay on your feet: tips for slippery winter conditions

The ‘Pysy pystyssä’ joint campaign has brought up the matter in public discussion

The ‘Safely at All Ages Target Programme for the Prevention of Home and Leisure Injuries 2021–2030’ programme created under the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health highlights the ‘Pysy pystyssä’ campaign as one successful measure to prevent slipping and falling accidents. The campaign, carried out jointly by different operators and organisations, has reminded Finnish people of the slipperiness of winter for 15 years now, and the topic has been being discussed for even longer than that.

“Thousands of Finnish people have to seek health services due to slipping accidents every year. The greatest economic damage to society is caused by accidents among working-age people resulting in sick leave. The ‘Pysy pystyssä’ campaign coordinated by the accident prevention network has successfully promoted slipping accident prevention measures, and this work should be continued and made even more effective,” emphasises Ministerial Advisor Pirjo Lillsunde from the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health.

Due to the commonness of slipping accidents, even small changes to the accident risk lead to great impacts, so there is a clear need to take the situation into account.

Muscle power, coordination and balance – maintaining physical ability to function is important

Research on preventing falling accidents among elderly people has revealed that the most effective single falling prevention measure is physical exercise to improve mobility and the ability to function. Muscle power, coordination and balance affect an individual’s falling risk. Physical activity is important for people of all ages.

Anticipate the conditions

People can prevent accidents through their own actions, and pedestrians should also make anticipation a habit.

“You should be aware of possibly slippery conditions before you go out and choose appropriate footwear, or use anti-slip guards. If you are unsure about the weather conditions, you should check weather warning for pedestrian. When walking, the most important thing is to concentrate on the walking itself and take careful steps. And even if you are driving, you will eventually become a pedestrian at some point,” emphasises Planning Officer Eero Kalmakoski from the Finnish Road Safety Council.

Read more: The ‘Pysy pystyssä’ campaign’s seven steps for staying on your feet. (in Finnish)

Slipping prevention traffic signs

The ‘Pysy pystyssä’ campaign will run from 13 to 24 January 2021, during which slipping prevention traffic signs will also be introduced. You can follow the discussion on social media with the hashtag #pysypystyssä. In January, the www.pysypystyssä.fi website will publish articles that discuss slipping accidents and their prevention methods from different perspectives.

Information about the ‘Pysy pystyssä’ campaign will be provided on the Kotitapaturma pages:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kotitapaturma

Twitter: https://twitter.com/kotitapaturma

More information:

About the campaign:

Saara Aakko, planning officer, The Finnish Red Cross, tel. +358 (0)40 4806 973, saara.aakko@punainenristi.fi

Safely at All Ages Target Programme for the Prevention of Home and Leisure Injuries:

Pirjo Lillsunde, ministerial advisor, Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, +358 (0)295 163 177, pirjo.lillsunde@stm.fi

Falling accident prevention:

Riitta Koivula, development manager, National Institute for Health and Welfare, +358 (0)29 524 8437, riitta.koivula@thl.fi

Walking, anticipation:

Eero Kalmakoski, contact manager, Finnish Road Safety Council, +358 (0)20 7282 380, eero.kalmakoski@liikenneturva.fi

Campaign partners:

Aivovammaliitto, EHYT Finnish Association for Substance Abuse Prevention, Finance Finland, the Finnish Meteorological Institute, the Finnish Association of People with Physical Disabilities, the Finnish Road Safety Council, LähiTapiola, Nikander ja Wiinikka Oy, Partioaitta, Sarva studded shoes, the Finnish Ministry of the Interior, the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, the Association of Finnish Local and Regional Authorities, the Finnish Red Cross, SOSTE Finnish Federation for Social Affairs and Health, Taitavat Suutarit ry, the National Institute for Health and Welfare, the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health.