Injuries From Falling Ice On The Rise

With severe winter storms rolling throughout the country, hospitals are reporting a spike in the number of injuries caused by falling ice. A piece of ice falling from the roof of a one-story home might leave you with a slight headache, but that same piece of ice falling from 1,500 feet up in the air can create serious, potentially life-threatening injuries.

Injuries caused by falling ice typically don't occur at the 'peak' of a winter storm. Instead, they happen several days later as the ice begins to melt. When a winter storm is at its peak, the snow will continue to build up on the roof, posing little-to-no danger to pedestrians walking nearby. Once the temperatures rise and the snow on roofs begins to melt, however, it creates long icicles that hang several feet down the sides buildings. Anyone who happens to be walking underneath it at the wrong time is at risk for serious injury.

Joey Picca, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service, said the following:

"The snow starts to melt and the liquid drips off and makes bigger and bigger icicles, or chunks of ice that break off skyscrapers. Be very, very aware of your surroundings," he said. If you see ice hanging from a building, find another route. Don't walk under hanging ice."

Last month, a man was struck in the face with a piece of ice while walking through downtown New York City. After walking to the nearby emergency room, doctors were forced to use 80 stitches to close his wounds.

Unfortunately, stories like this are all too common, especially in the past few months as record-setting winter storms continue to rattle the nation. Several corners in New York City, Chicago and other populated cities have been blocked out to protect pedestrians from falling ice. In fact, New York City is actually fining building owners who fail to block off sideways with rope $1,000.

Engineer Roman Stangl, founder of the consulting firm Northern Microclimate in Cambridge, Ontarioce, talked about the potential downsides to energy-efficient homes and buildings:

"They keep more heat inside, which means the outside is getting colder and that allows more snow and ice to form."

With the spring season right around the corner, let's hope that falling ice injuries will begin to subside. I think we can all agree that we've had our fair share of winter weather for the year.