The NHS has issued essential advice on how to respond if you or someone else falls on ice, as the UK braces for multiple yellow and amber snow and ice warnings from Thursday through Sunday. The Met Office warns of travel disruption, with snow expected across England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and freezing conditions in Scotland.
Over 7,000 people are hospitalised annually in the UK due to slips on snow or ice, according to the NHS Information Centre. In a recent Instagram post, the NHS urged people to stay calm after a fall and first assess for injuries before calling for help.
If the person is hurt or in pain, contact NHS 111 or use its online service for guidance. However, if the individual has injured their head, neck, back, or hip and cannot get up, call 999 immediately for an ambulance.
To prevent falls, the NHS previously advised adopting a 'penguin waddle'—bending knees slightly, pointing feet outward, extending arms, and shuffling forward with flat feet. Laura Halcrow, Falls Prevention Lead at NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, said: 'It might look funny, but waddling really works. A slip-on ice can cause painful injuries and even hospital stays, especially for older people.'
