Tips for Prevention of Slips, Trips and Falls in Toronto Winter

Picture this: You’re walking down a Toronto sidewalk on a crisp November evening. The streetlights cast long shadows, and a thin layer of ice glistens deceptively underfoot. Suddenly, your feet slide out from under you, and you’re falling before you even realize what’s happening.

Unfortunately, this scenario is far too common in Toronto during winter months. Every year, thousands of Toronto residents suffer serious injuries from winter-related falls on icy sidewalks, snow-covered surfaces, and slippery indoor environments.

In Ontario alone, more than 21,000 residents visit emergency rooms annually due to slips and falls on ice and snow. Beyond the immediate injury, the combined social and healthcare costs for fall-related injuries reach $8.8 billion per year across Canada—making winter falls far more than a minor inconvenience.

The good news? You can take proactive steps for prevention of slips trips and falls. Let’s explore seven practical strategies to keep you safe this winter, and how chiropractic and physiotherapy at Core Wellness Centre can support your recovery if an injury does occur.

Understanding Risks and Hazards

To effectively prevent falls, it’s important to understand the specific dangers that Toronto winters present.

Icy Sidewalks and Black Ice: The Invisible Danger

Black ice is one of the most treacherous hazards pedestrians face during Toronto winters. This deceptively dangerous phenomenon forms when atmospheric conditions create a thin, nearly invisible layer of ice on walking surfaces.

Unlike regular snow or white ice that’s easy to spot, black ice appears as a wet spot on pavement because it’s transparent and takes on the color of the asphalt beneath it. This makes it extraordinarily difficult to detect until you’re already slipping—transforming what appears to be a safe walking surface into a hazardous trap in seconds.

Black ice forms through several mechanisms particularly relevant to Toronto’s climate:

Freezing rain falling onto already frozen surfaces creates that thin transparent coating on roads, sidewalks, and parking lots
Mist or fog in subfreezing air—common during Toronto’s early mornings and evenings—can create black ice
Leftover moisture from rain or snowmelt that refreezes, especially on shaded surfaces where the sun can’t provide warmth
Moisture from car exhaust can freeze on pavement in certain conditions

One critical factor: black ice can form even when the thermometer reads above freezing, because the actual pavement temperature may be significantly colder than the air temperature. This frequently occurs on Toronto’s bridges, overpasses, and shaded areas where there’s minimal insulation beneath the surface—which explains why early morning commutes present particular risks.

High-risk black ice zones in Toronto include:

• Underpasses, tunnels, and heavily shaded sidewalks where ice persists long after melting elsewhere
• Bridges and overpasses, which cool rapidly due to lack of insulation underneath
• Back roads with light traffic that haven’t been treated with salt or de-icing materials
• Front steps, driveways, and residential sidewalks—areas where most black ice accidents actually occur
• Slush and Snow Accumulation: Hidden Dangers Underfoot

Beyond black ice, Toronto’s winter weather creates hazards through accumulated snow and slush that obscure walking surfaces. Uneven snow and ice hide obstacles like raised curbs, potholes, and ground-level variations that you can’t see or adjust for. Compressed snow from multiple freeze-thaw cycles creates hard, slippery surfaces with minimal traction. The transition zones where melted snow refreezes—or where salt-treated areas meet unsalted ones—create unpredictable patches with varying grip. Even slush, which looks relatively safe, actually provides poor traction and masks the ice beneath it.

Reduced Visibility: Navigating in the Dark

Toronto’s shortened winter daylight hours significantly increase fall risk, independent of surface conditions. After daylight saving time and as winter deepens, darkness can arrive as early as mid-afternoon. This reduction in natural light makes previously visible hazards nearly invisible and impairs the depth perception needed to safely navigate uneven surfaces. Ice patches that were manageable to avoid in daylight become virtually undetectable during evening commutes. Combined with fog, snow, and freezing rain, visibility challenges multiply.

Crowded Public Transit: A Recipe for Falls

For Toronto residents using public transit, winter adds extra fall hazards beyond outdoor sidewalk navigation. Stairs can be particularly challenging when they’re too high, lack adequate handrails, or have unmarked edges. Frequent or sudden stops during winter driving conditions can cause loss of footing. Slippery surfaces on vehicles and platforms reduce traction. During peak hours, crowded vehicles may lack enough seating or handrails for support. Personal items in aisles, dark interiors, and inadequate lighting all contribute to increased fall risk in transit environments.

Common Injuries from Winter Slips and Falls

Understanding the potential consequences of a fall can motivate you to take preventative action. Here are injuries commonly associated with winter slips and falls:

• Sprains and Strains: These are the most frequently occurring injuries from winter falls, though their severity is often underestimated. A sprain occurs when ligaments—the connective tissue bands that stabilize joints—become stretched or partially torn through sudden trauma. Strains involve damage to muscles and tendons rather than ligaments, and often appear alongside sprains.
• Fractures (Wrist, Ankle, Hip): Among the most serious consequences of winter falls, particularly for older adults whose bones may be weakened by osteoporosis. Hip fractures deserve special attention due to their devastating impact on mobility and independence.
• Concussions: A type of traumatic brain injury caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head that changes brain function. These injuries are frequently underestimated and require medical attention.
• Back Pain and Spinal Misalignments: Falls frequently cause or worsen back pain through impact injuries and sudden unnatural movements that misalign vertebrae or cause discs to bulge. This results in muscle pain, tightness, spasms, and painful knots in tissue. Pinched nerves from misalignment or tight muscles can create significant ongoing pain—this is where chiropractic care can help restore proper alignment and function.

6 Practical Tips for Preventing Slips, Trips, and Falls

Tip 1: Wear Appropriate Winter Footwear with Proper Traction

Choosing appropriate footwear is your first line of defense against slips and falls on Toronto’s icy surfaces. Slip-resistant winter boots with proper tread are essential for maintaining traction on ice, snow, and wet surfaces. The sole material significantly impacts slip resistance—rubber and neoprene composite soles provide superior performance compared to plastic or leather soles that offer minimal grip.

Modern winter boot technology offers significant advantages over conventional boots. Advanced sole technologies include hard mineral composites, microscopic glass fibers embedded to improve friction, or spiked footwear with metal cleats inserted into rubber outsoles. Some boots combine these technologies for maximum traction.

However, here’s an important finding: even the best winter boots lose effectiveness with use. For immediate traction improvements without the cost of specialty boots, consider ice cleats or overshoes—products that attach to the bottom of regular shoes or boots.

Tip 2: Walk Like a Penguin: Adopt the Shuffle Technique

One of the most scientifically supported strategies for maintaining balance on ice comes from observing how penguins navigate safely. The “penguin walk” technique involves increasing your base of support while moving your center of gravity over each limb as you bear weight. Here’s how to do it:

Take short, shuffling steps rather than long strides to maintain grip on the surface and minimize balance loss.

Walk flat-footed, positioning your feet directly underneath your body rather than on your heels—this is where many falls begin
Keep your knees slightly bent to lower your center of gravity, absorb sudden weight shifts, and respond quickly if you start to slip
Position your feet with slightly increased separation compared to normal walking, and lean slightly into your steps to keep your weight forward

Keep your arms out to your sides for balance rather than in your pockets—this provides natural counterbalance and allows your body to adjust to shifts in gravity

The key is deliberate, controlled movement that prioritizes stability over speed.

Tip 3: Take Your Time, Eliminate Distractions, and Stay Aware

Rushing is one of the biggest fall risk factors. Rapid movement reduces reaction time and destabilizes your center of gravity. Instead, walk slowly and take small steps. Plan ahead and leave 5-10 minutes early to proceed at a safe pace—this simple habit can make a tremendous difference.

Additional awareness strategies:

• Scan ahead six or more feet to identify potential obstacles before you encounter them
• Keep your hands free for balance rather than in pockets—this allows you to catch yourself if you start to fall
• Avoid carrying items that obstruct your view of the ground. Instead, ask for help or make multiple trips
• Test potentially slick areas by tapping your foot before committing full weight. If you detect slickness, find an alternate route
• Put your phone away while walking on icy surfaces. Cell phone use impairs your ability to maintain balance and respond to changing conditions

Tip 4: Utilize Handrails and Mobility Support Devices

Handrails placed alongside walkways or outdoor staircases drastically reduce fall risk, especially during winter. When navigating outdoor stairs covered in snow or ice, a handrail provides essential safety and security.

If you have balance concerns or have already experienced falls, mobility devices including canes, walkers, and other assistive devices can provide meaningful support. Research shows that mobility device use is not associated with increased falls compared to non-users—these devices are safe, effective tools that help compensate for balance, coordination, sensation, and strength changes.

Tip 5: Keep Walkways Clear and Report Hazards

For Toronto homeowners and property managers, snow and ice removal is both a legal responsibility and a critical safety measure.
Toronto’s snow clearing guidelines:

City crews clear public sidewalks when snow reaches 2 cm depth and has stopped falling, or when icy conditions warrant it
Residents and businesses must clear snow and ice from sidewalks within 12 hours if accumulation is less than 2 cm
Property owners must clear private property—driveways, parking spaces, steps, ramps, and landings—within 24 hours after snowfall ends

Beyond your own property, report problematic conditions to the city for locations beyond your responsibility. This proactive reporting helps the municipality respond appropriately.

Indoors: Remove as much snow and water as possible from your shoes before entering buildings. When entering, wipe your feet to prevent wet, slippery conditions from spreading to interior surfaces.

Tip 6: Improve Balance and Core Strength Through Targeted Exercise

Among the most effective long-term fall prevention strategies, targeted exercises for balance and core strength address the physical vulnerabilities that increase fall risk. Research demonstrates that balance and strength training can significantly reduce falling incidents by building the fundamental physical capacities necessary for stability.
Core strength is essential because strong trunk muscles—including your pelvis, lower back, hips, and stomach—work together to create better balance and steadiness. These muscles form the foundation for stable posture and coordination.

A research-backed exercise: The Sit-to-Stand

Scoot your body to the front of a sturdy chair, set your feet shoulder-width apart, and use your legs to power yourself up to standing without using your hands if possible. This builds the leg strength essential for stability and can be safely practiced at home.

Progressive balance training shows significant benefits, particularly for older adults. Research shows that 10 weeks of balance training conducted twice per week—performed in different positions, on surfaces with varying firmness, under different visual conditions—significantly improves postural control and stability.

How Core Wellness Centre Can Help

Winter falls don’t always happen despite our best efforts. If you’ve experienced a fall or are dealing with fall-related injuries, chiropractic and physiotherapy can accelerate your recovery and restore function.

For back pain and spinal misalignments from falls, chiropractic care realigns vertebrae and relieves pinched nerves. Physiotherapy helps rebuild strength and balance through progressive exercise programs tailored to your recovery stage.

Whether you’re looking to prevent falls or recover from an injury, Core Wellness Centre’s experienced team can create a personalized plan to keep you safe, active, and confident this winter.