As freezing conditions grip the nation, the NHS has issued vital guidance on how to react if you or someone else takes a tumble on ice. This comes with multiple yellow and amber weather alerts for snow and ice active across the UK from Thursday through to Sunday.
What to do immediately after a fall on ice
In a post on its official Instagram account, the health service outlined a clear plan of action. The first and most important step is to try to stay calm. Do not immediately call 999. Instead, carefully assess the situation for any pain or injuries and check if the person who has fallen is able to get back on their feet.
If the individual is hurt or in discomfort, you should contact NHS 111 or use the 111 online service for advice on the next steps and whether medical attention is required. However, if the person has injured their head, neck, back, or hip and cannot get up, you must call 999 for an ambulance immediately.
A surprising but effective prevention method
The NHS also reiterated its memorable advice for avoiding a slip in the first place: waddle like a penguin. The technique, promoted in 2024, involves bending the knees slightly, pointing feet outwards, keeping arms loose at your sides, and taking small, flat-footed steps.
"It might look funny, but waddling really works," explained Laura Halcrow, Falls Prevention Lead at NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde. "A slip on ice can cause painful injuries and even hospital stays, especially for older people." She encouraged people to share the advice and find a "waddle buddy" to practise with.
Widespread warnings and the scale of the problem
The Met Office has warned that bands of rain moving in from the Atlantic will clash with cold air over the UK, likely bringing significant snow, particularly to central and eastern areas. This is expected to cause travel chaos, with potential delays to rail and air services, and some rural communities risk being cut off.
The advice is critically important given the scale of winter injuries. According to the NHS Information Centre, over 7,000 people are hospitalised each year in the UK after falls on snow or ice. With treacherous conditions forecast, the public is urged to take extreme care, consider whether journeys are essential, and remember the simple penguin technique to stay upright.
