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Spring Weather Makes Sidewalks Slippery

Warmer spring days followed by cold nights are proving hazardous for pedestrians, as pavements made wet by melting snow turn icy at night, and remain slippery in the morning. Helsinki’s Töölö Hospital has been treating an average 15 patients with broken ankles each day. On normal days, the hospital’s surgeons on duty have had just one such daily operation.

Image: YLE / Sanna Pirkkalainen

15.3.2010 10:09Updated 15.3.2010 12:03

The busiest day was Friday last week, although the surge in emergency trauma surgery has continued for the better part of last week.

In addition to injured ankles, the prevailing conditions are also causing fractures of the wrist and forearm. Not all injuries caused by slipping require surgery.

Alcohol Increases Risk of Injury

Trauma surgeon Lauri Handolin at Töölö Hospital says that the best way to avoid accidents is for pedestrians to be aware of the potentially slippery conditions that they might meet when going out in the morning.

The danger is especially acute if there is a thin layer of snow on top of the ice.

During weekends, about half of patients requiring treatment for injuries caused by slipping on ice tend to be under the influence of alcohol when the accident occurs.