Spring Break Vacation Accidents: Slip, Trip and Fall

Accidents can happen on spring break, even though vacation is a time to relax, have fun and forget your worries.  But there are a few cases where having fun can be dangerous, many do not pay attention to what is going on.  I witnessed a near slip and fall when I was on traveling in the Caribbean last week when a car full of young people were playing a prank on a friend about to drive off and leave him behind.  The young man ran after the vehicle, and I heard the sound of sandpaper – possibly the sound of flip flops against cement.  Luckily, I never heard the thump of his body hitting the pavement, but it reminded me to be careful walking in my flip flops and sandals.

Slips, trips and falls are one of the most common injuries at work and at play.  The main factors are footwear and the walking surface, when it comes to slip, trip and fall. Here are a few possible slip and fall scenarios while on Spring Break. In all of the cases below accidents can be prevented by installing HandiTreads or Non skid nosings or a custom solution.

Sand on Wood Stairs – Sand particles mimic the lubricants that we use.  Sand particles easily glide back and forth lowering the friction and traction at surfaces. Sandy stairs are an accident waiting to happen under the right circumstances.

Wet Shoes on Boat Stairs – When taking a ferry there are many people who climb up and down the stairs.  I saw stairs where the non slip tape had worn off.  Why? What happens to a band-aid after time or when it is wet?  It falls off.  The same principle applies to non slip tape.  For a while the non slip tape adheres to the surface but with enough treading on and people climbing the stairs with salt water on their shoes, the tape wears off.

Rain on Painted Stairs – Even in paradise it rains. When dry, stairs offer more traction than when wet.  Again, the type of footwear should be considered.  Shoes with more traction will be able to counteract the wet surface better.

Taking a Shower After Going for a Swim – Rubber mats are placed below a beach shower.  The holes in the mat allow for more variation in the surface area making in less slippery that a regular rubber mat with no holes.  When stepping on the surface the holes catch the contours of our foot reducing the probability of a fall.

When you are both a customer and a business in the spring break industry, consider where the potential slip, trip and fall dangers lie: near the beach, on a boat or even near your hotel  room – and do what you can to avoid accidents. For more information on how to avoid a spring break or vacation accident call Handi-Ramp and ask for information on stair treads, nosings or stair repair at 1-800-876-7267 or go to handiramp.com