With an arctic blast blanketing the UK with snow and ice, staying home under a blanket seems like the obvious thing to do.
But for anyone who needs to brave the cold conditions, the NHS has some rather quirky advice for avoiding skidding on your backside on the ice.
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC) said: ‘A simple but effective way to avoid slips and falls during icy conditions, waddle like a penguin.’
How to ‘waddle like a penguin’
To walk like a penguin – and yes, this is official advice from the NHS – the Scottish trust says to: Stick your arms out and take short, shuffling steps.
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By pointing your ‘flippers’ (legs) out and extending your ‘wings’ (arms), you keep your center of gravity close to your feet.
Bigger steps, however, make it harder to balance.
NHSGGC’s falls prevention lead, Laura Halcrow, warned that slipping on the ice can cause painful injuries and even a trip to the hospital.
Halcrow said: ‘It might look funny, but waddling really works.
‘We’re asking everyone to share this advice with friends and family, particularly those who may be less steady on their feet.
‘Take two minutes to find a waddle buddy, have a laugh and stay safe together.’
When walking, experts recommend you try to walk on a path that’s as clear as possible, even if it means swerving around salt on the pavement.
Falls happen quickly – by the time you realise you’ve slipped, you’re probably already on the ice. Elderly people are especially at risk.
Try not to stare down at your phone while out and about, too, and, above all, walk slowly.
What to do if you slip on the ice
Try to keep your arms close to your body and tuck your chin to protect your head.
Stay calm and take a moment to check for injuries, numbness, tingling or dizziness.
Don’t rush to stand up, either, as you could end up slipping and hurting yourself again.
The NHS recommends you look for something stable to hold, like a street lamp or railing, and to crawl over to it if you need to.
‘Put one foot flat on the floor. Stand up slowly, holding onto something stable to help you,’ the advice says.
Deputy medical director for acute services, Dr Claire Harro,w stressed that most falls don’t require a trip to A&E.
She said: ‘If you can, treat yourself from the comfort of your own home using trusted sources like the NHS Inform website or the NHS 24 app.
‘If you need healthcare or you’re unsure, call NHS 24 on 111 for advice.’
The NHS said that during cold snaps – especially when they last for days like this week’s – it’s not just wobbling on the ice people should be wary of.
People should also make sure they’ve been vaccinated for the flu, Dr Iain Kennedy, NHSGGC’s immunisation coordinator, said.
Flu season began so early and spread so quickly that the dominant strain, known as H3N2, was quickly dubbed a ‘super flu’.
This doesn’t mean the flu is more dangerous or harder to beat – it’s just a variant that’s a little more infectious than normal.
More than 3,000 people in hospitals were sickened with the virus in mid-December, an 18% rise from the week before
Dr Kennedy said: ‘If you’ve been invited for the flu vaccine, it is for a reason so please be sure to take up the offer.
‘The flu vaccination is your best protection against the virus.’
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