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Winter can be hazardous. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that, in one year, there were more than 20,000 work-related slips and falls involving ice, sleet or snow that required at least one day away from work. And snowy, slushy, icy roadways cause more than 116,000 injuries annually. Plus, a Canadian study found that if guys are shoveling a 7-to-8-inch snowfall, their risk of going to the hospital with a heart attack rises 16% and the risk of dying from that heart attack jumps 34%.

Smart steps:

-- To reduce your risks of falling, use sand or kitty litter to improve traction on walkways. Also, use footwear with soles designed to prevent slipping.

-- To avoid accidents on slippery streets, make sure you have tires designed for maximum grip and pay attention to traffic alerts advising you to stay off roadways! Also, steer gently into a skid if you start to spin.

-- As for the hazards of shoveling: Don't shovel first thing in the morning (prime time for heart attacks). Warm up first by doing stretches and marching in place. Use a smaller shovel to reduce the weight of each load of snow. Take frequent breaks -- don't do a whole sidewalk in one go. And prepare for winter's challenges by staying fit year-round -- with 10,000 steps or the equivalent daily and core-building resistance exercises.

For tips on maintaining good balance, check out Dr. Oz's presentation "Improve Your Balance in 5 Minutes" on YouTube and Dr. Mike's book "AgeProof: Living Longer Without Running Out of Money or Breaking a Hip."

Dr. Mike Roizen is the founder of www.longevityplaybook.com, and Dr. Mehmet Oz is global advisor to www.iHerb.com, the world's leading online health store. Roizen and Oz are chief wellness officer emeritus at Cleveland Clinic and professor emeritus at Columbia University, respectively. Together they have written 11 New York Times bestsellers (four No. 1's).

(c)2025 Michael Roizen, M.D.

Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.

(c) 2025 Michael Roizen, M.D. Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.