Slippery slope: Otago leads way in ice injuries

They say falling down is part of life and getting back up is living.

But the Accident Compensation Corporation says falls are totally avoidable and are costing millions of dollars a year to get people back on their feet - particularly in Otago.

So, as winter starts to bite, Otago residents are being urged to take extra care as icy and frosty conditions ramp up the number of slips, trips and falls claims.

New ACC figures show almost 14,000 claims were accepted nationwide over the past five years, the majority of which were from Otago.

Almost 3500 claims were recorded in Otago, excluding claims related to snow sports or ice skating.

The next-highest number was recorded in Canterbury, with 2884.

Last year alone, there were 831 claims in the Otago region - the highest total in the past five years.

Injuries relating to slipping on frost, ice or snow, included soft tissue injuries like strains, sprains and bruises; and the most injured body parts were the back and knee.

The data shows claims have consistently peaked in July over the past five years, and more than 30% of claims happened in this month alone.

Over the past five years, ACC has spent more than $36 million to help people recover from these injuries nationwide.

ACC injury prevention leader James Whitaker said fall-related injuries caused by wintry conditions could be avoided if people slowed down and took the time to assess the ground conditions before going out.

He said research showed 90% of all injuries were predictable and therefore preventable, and fall-related injuries were no different.

Injuries caused by falls on frosty and icy surfaces could be avoided by following a few simple measures.

"If possible, hang on to a rail or gate if walking on slippery surfaces like ice and frost, especially if you’re walking downhill, and remember to take it slow to reduce your chance of skidding.

"Wear appropriate footwear where you can - ensure your shoes have good traction and tread."

He said it was also a good idea to avoid distractions like using a cellphone.

People would also benefit from planning their route in advance, to avoid more slippery areas.

"We want Kiwis to assess the risk before getting stuck in, so they can stay injury-free and keep doing the things they love.

"If we get injured, it doesn’t just affect us - it also has flow-on effects for our friends, families, and workmates."

john.lewis@odt.co.nz