When you get out of bed in the morning, you never know quite what the day will hold. Some days you’ll breeze through your morning commute happily whistling a tune as you go, but then there are other days when you end up spilling coffee on your clean shirt and then get splashed by a puddle as you’re waiting for the bus.
It’s always nice to get up on the right side of the bed, but as a nation we’re so busy these days that accidents can happen more often than we would like. Some of these are minor, such as dropping a glass of milk on the floor, or dropping your iPhone in your bowl of cereal. Then again, there are some accidents that a slightly more severe than this – and let’s face it, you don’t want to end up getting hurt when you’re just going about your daily business! So keep in mind a few common street hazards to look out for, especially if you don’t think it’s your lucky day…
Uneven footpaths
When you’re walking, it is important to be aware of your surroundings. Many of us get completely side-tracked by looking at our mobile phones or trying to read a newspaper as we make our way to the office. For this reason, you might not notice an uneven footpath, or a dodgy paving slab. This could cause you to twist your ankle, take a fall – potentially causing an injury, especially if you are wearing precarious shoes.
Spillages
Another common pavement problem is that of spillages. This might be from a water supply, or even something outside a shop or restaurant. Where possible, try and avoid the area by crossing the road where safe to do so, but you should be aware that shopkeepers and organisations responsible for public spaces have a duty of care. This means spillages should be cleaned up.
Building projects
It is also a good idea to pay attention when you are passing a building project or site as there could be loose materials that could be a hazard to you when you’re walking past. Things can fall from scaffolding – such as buckets or tools – or in some cases a structure could collapse. It’s unlikely, but being aware of what is going on around you could help to reduce the risk even more.
Car traffic
Being a pedestrian isn’t always easy, as you do need to be constantly aware of what’s going on. For example if you are walking in a residential area, someone may pull out of their driveway without properly checking if anyone is walking past. Alternatively, someone may try and parallel park and end up on the pavement as you’re walking past. Make sure to have a good look around when you’re walking about.