What You Should Do If You’re Frozen Too

By Sara Butler

Image Source: What Culture

I recently saw Frozen II and let me tell you -- it should have been called What Not to Do When It’s Icy Outside. As an accident-prone person, I found myself cringing a lot during this movie. Is it really OK to act so flippantly in potentially dangerous weather situations? The people of Arendelle need a reality check, that’s for sure.

If you live somewhere that’s frozen for roughly half the year or even a day -- no, we’re not looking at you, Las Vegas -- then it’s a good idea to brush up on safety tips for those times when it’s slippery. You don’t have Elsa’s magical powers, so taking a fall this winter could cause a painful injury. Here’s what you should do in order to stay out of harm’s way. Don’t underestimate the power of snow and ice -- that’s something even Anna and Elsa can agree on. Olaf too.

Choose the Right Clothes

When it’s cold and icy outside, you should put away your off-the-shoulder ball gowns, a la Elsa, and aim for something a little more practical. You should:

• Wear proper footwear - When it’s icy out, avoid shoes or boots with smooth soles. Heels are also a bad idea. Opt instead for boots or shoes that will provide a little traction on snow and ice such as boots with non-slip rubber soles.
• Bulk up - A bulky, heavy coat may not win any fashion awards, but it’ll win safety awards! A coat like this keeps you warm when the temperature drops and provides a little extra padding should your slip and fall.
• Reflect - If you’re going to be walking outside, especially at night, wear clothes that have some reflective features so people in cars can see you.
• Wear shades - Sunglasses can help to cut down on reflections and help you stay safe by allowing you to spot hazards and avoid them.

When You’re Walking

When the weather is cold out, you simply have no choice but to make the assumption that you’re always in danger. Again, something that Anna and Elsa do far too little of in their Disney sequel. The world is dangerous, especially when it’s dark and wet -- black ice is a real danger. So when you’re out and about in the cold winter weather, you should:

• Avoid shortcuts - Always travel along paths that have been plowed or treated with salt or sand. Shortcuts may be hazardous simply because the walkways haven’t been treated.
• Be careful on hills - When walking downhill, keep your eyes on the ground ahead of you. Any snow-covered sidewalk or driveway can potentially be very slippery, especially if on an incline. Walk in the grass for traction if you suspect it’s too slippery to be safe.
• Don’t put your hands away - Mittens or gloves are a great investment because they allow you to keep your hands warm without putting them in your pockets. You need to keep your hands out when walking in winter so you can better maintain balance and catch yourself should you fall.
• Go slow - You’re not looking to win any winter races, here. Walking slowly and purposefully in the snow and ice can help increase your reaction time should you start to slip and help you establish better traction.

I have no idea if Arendelle has chiropractors, but after watching about two hours of people getting tossed around, falling, and running to escape disaster in Frozen II, I sure hope so. Luckily, in the real non-animated world we have chiropractors. Should you take a tumble this winter, they’re the first people you should see -- frozen or not.

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