Cecilia Nasmith/Today’s Northumberland
Stuck in the heart of winter, as all of us are, Northumberland Hills Hospital warns patients and visitors to take extra care when walking outside.
The potential for slippery conditions exists in and around the hospital, president and chief executive officer Linda Davis said in her report to the February board meeting. And the extreme cold can cause sudden shifts in pavement and walkways, resulting in uneven surfaces.
Davis echoed a message Occupational Health Services RN Ellen Douglas shared earlier this winter in extending the reminder to take extra care when walking outdoors.
“We can minimize the chance of dangerous slips and falls by wearing appropriate footwear, ideally winter boots with nonpslip rubber soles with a tread,” Davis’s report said.
“NHH’s grounds contractor does a great job keeping parking lots and sidewalks salted and safe. But when temperatures dip very low, even salt can have a difficult time melting the ice. Caution is always recommended, and it is always better to avoid tricky situations by being prepared.”