Winter can be pretty harsh with unsafe walking conditions resulting in increase of injuries from slips and falls on icy sidewalks and roads.

Winter walking is a great way to get in shape and by following some of these tips, you can avoid serious injury:

1) Wear suitable clothing and proper footwear

2) Move your feet apart when you walk for better balance

3) Walk with your knees slightly bent on slippery or icy surfaces

4) Walk sideways and don’t cross one foot over the other when walking up or down a slippery slope

5) Stretch your hip flexors, buttocks, hamstrings, quads, and calves before, during and after your walk

6) Your stretches should be slow and controlled with no bouncing or jerking and held for at least 30 seconds and 2-3 times on each leg

7) Rotate walking routes every other day to avoid overuse injuries

8 If you’re wearing a backpack, it should not weigh more than 30% of your body weight