We love winter but fear of falling takes the fun out of it. One slip and we risk being laid up for weeks, if not months.

Federal statistics indicate slips and falls are the single-largest cause of emergency room visits, with the average slip and fall injury costing a whopping $28,000.

That has made The Gimpy Girls big believers in foot grips and cleats. While there are a number of good grips on the market, we favor Yaktrax Pro, pictured here.

YakTrax make you feel like you are walking on dry ground, which makes you stand taller and avoid that stooped winter posture we assume when shuffling along so tentatively on ice and snow. The Pro has a strap that snugs over the top of the foot, making it less likely to lose one while you’re out and about.

The only drawback to wearing these is human procrastination. We’ve found that if we don’t keep them on our boots or shoes, ready to go by the door, all the time, we fail to put them on each time we venture out - And all it takes is one fall on the way to mailbox to sideline us for the winter.

So stay safe and get a grip. Check out these grips at Cozy Winters, an online catalog with beau coup cold-weather items.