Shortcuts often lead to injuries

Back in the 1980s (during the winter), I went to check the mailbox for the mail and newspaper. As I opened up the door, there lying on the ground was an individual.
As it turned out, the person was kind of sore but okay.
I asked what happened. The individual said, as they were cutting across my yard from the other house, that they had slipped while stepping down from the top of the snow bank, which was four feet above the walkway.
I suggested to them that they shouldn’t take a shortcut across someone’s yard, whether it was winter or summer. They mumbled something and proceeded to go about their way.
During the winter season, it’s a given that it will be very icy and slippery outside. In fact, winter is the time when you see more people than usual making emergency room visits due to slipping on ice.
When you are outside, stepping down from a higher level to the ground is risky enough at times. The chances of slipping and falling are high.
People who make deliveries to homes or businesses may take shortcuts to save time. However, shortcuts can lead to injuries due to slips, trips, and falls.
I would advocate to any employer or group to educate their people, whether they work for a courier service, mail service, newspaper, or other group, about the possible hazards and procedures they need to practice.
If your job is to deliver items to homes and businesses, what is your employer’s policy regarding crossing yards?
Even during the spring, summer, and fall, hazards are present on lawns. Fertilizers can be present, as well as lime, which has burned people’s skin on their feet and ankles.
Think about it before you take a shortcut across someone’s yard. The time you save may not be worth it in the end.
We, as Canadians, need to take responsibility for your health and safety now, and take care of what we have!
Safety—it starts with you!
  Tyler J. Moffitt is a volunteer firefighter and emergency responder, as well as a continuous improvement advocate.