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Role of Winter Weather Conditions and Slipperiness on Tourists’ Accidents in Finland

Author

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  • Élise Lépy

    (Faculty of Humanities, University of Oulu, 90014 Oulu, Finland
    Faculty of Medicine, Arctic Health, University of Oulu, 90014 Oulu, Finland)

  • Sinikka Rantala

    (Medical Research Center Oulu, Oulu University Hospital, 90220 Oulu, Finland)

  • Antti Huusko

    (Thule Institute, University of Oulu, 90014 Oulu, Finland)

  • Pentti Nieminen

    (Medical Informatics and Statistics Group, University of Oulu, 90220 Oulu, Finland)

  • Marjo Hippi

    (Finnish Meteorological Institute, 00560 Helsinki, Finland)

  • Arja Rautio

    (Faculty of Medicine, Arctic Health, University of Oulu, 90014 Oulu, Finland
    Thule Institute, University of Oulu, 90014 Oulu, Finland)

Abstract

(1) Background: In Finland, slippery snowy or icy ground surface conditions can be quite hazardous to human health during wintertime. We focused on the impacts of the variability in weather conditions on tourists’ health via documented accidents during the winter season in the Sotkamo area. We attempted to estimate the slipping hazard in a specific context of space and time focusing on the weather and other possible parameters, responsible for fluctuations in the numbers of injuries/accidents; (2) Methods: We used statistical distributions with graphical illustrations to examine the distribution of visits to Kainuu Hospital by non-local patients and their characteristics/causes; graphs to illustrate the distribution of the different characteristics of weather conditions; questionnaires and interviews conducted among health care and safety personnel in Sotkamo and Kuusamo; (3) Results: There was a clear seasonal distribution in the numbers and types of extremity injuries of non-local patients. While the risk of slipping is emphasized, other factors leading to injuries are evaluated; and (4) Conclusions: The study highlighted the clear role of wintery weather conditions as a cause of extremity injuries even though other aspects must also be considered. Future scenarios, challenges and adaptive strategies are also discussed from the viewpoint of climate change.

Suggested Citation

  • Élise Lépy & Sinikka Rantala & Antti Huusko & Pentti Nieminen & Marjo Hippi & Arja Rautio, 2016. "Role of Winter Weather Conditions and Slipperiness on Tourists’ Accidents in Finland," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 13(8), pages 1-15, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:13:y:2016:i:8:p:822-:d:75982
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Susan L. Cutter & Bryan J. Boruff & W. Lynn Shirley, 2003. "Social Vulnerability to Environmental Hazards," Social Science Quarterly, Southwestern Social Science Association, vol. 84(2), pages 242-261, June.
    2. Alwang, Jeffrey & Siegel, Paul B. & Jorgensen, Steen L., 2001. "Vulnerability : a view from different disciplines," Social Protection Discussion Papers and Notes 23304, The World Bank.
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    Cited by:

    1. Timiryanova, Venera & Mchedlishvili, Aleksander & Lakman, Irina & Bakhitova, Railya & Abzalilova, Liya & Devyatkova, Galina, 2023. "Пространственные Факторы Непреднамеренных Падений В Зимний Период [Spatial factors of winter-related unintentional falls]," MPRA Paper 119208, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    2. Rui Huang & Chaowu Xie & Feifei Lai & Xiang Li & Gaoyang Wu & Ian Phau, 2023. "Analysis of the Characteristics and Causes of Night Tourism Accidents in China Based on SNA and QAP Methods," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(3), pages 1-21, January.
    3. Agneta Larsson & Glenn Berggård & Peter Rosander & Gunvor Gard, 2019. "Gait Speed with Anti-Slip Devices on Icy Pedestrian Crossings Relate to Perceived Fall-Risk and Balance," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(14), pages 1-13, July.
    4. Marjo Hippi & Markku Kangas, 2022. "Impact of Weather on Pedestrians’ Slip Risk," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(5), pages 1-16, March.
    5. Tatiana N. Unguryanu & Andrej M. Grjibovski & Tordis A. Trovik & Børge Ytterstad & Alexander V. Kudryavtsev, 2020. "Weather Conditions and Outdoor Fall Injuries in Northwestern Russia," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(17), pages 1-16, August.
    6. Mesfin Bekele Gebbisa & Abdi Shukri Yasin & Zsuzsanna Bacsi, 2024. "Impacts of Weather Variability on the International Tourism Receipts—Evidence from Ethiopia (1995–2019)," Tourism and Hospitality, MDPI, vol. 5(2), pages 1-23, May.

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