Doctors say that walking on icy pavements in a specific way stops people falling over on icy paths. It comes as the Met Office has issued a massive yellow weather warning forecasting icy patches across the United Kingdom as Storm Chandra battered the nation.
The Met Office warns there could be “some injuries” from slips, trips and falls as the temperatures set to plummet. It says untreated roads, pavements and cycle paths could also become frozen overnight, warning people they should consider leaving extra time for their journeys.
The Met Office said: “If you need to make a journey on foot, try to use pavements along main roads which are likely to be less slippery. Similarly, if cycling, try and stick to main roads which are more likely to have been treated.”
Medics from the Spanish Society of Rehabilitation and Physical Medicine (SERMEF) have now recommended that people walk “like a penguin” to avoid any slips and injuries during the frosty period.
They said: “There are also patches of ice that can form in shady areas, under parked cars or on quiet stretches of road. Many go unnoticed due to their poor visibility. The risk also increases in the early morning or at dusk, when the lack of light and the cold make ice even more likely to form.”
The doctors claim walking like a penguin is a “a simple technique based on clear biomechanical principles. This way of walking shifts the centre of gravity slightly forward, increasing stability.”
They suggest taking shorter steps and avoiding walking on your tiptoes in the ice. SEMREF says placing the “entire sole of the foot on the ground” and not putting your hands in your pockets helps with stability in icy conditions.
Speaking to El Confidencial, they added: “Leaning your torso slightly forward helps you adapt your gait to the terrain and reduces the risk of slipping.”
The doctors insist that while many people consider a fall an everyday occasion, they can have a “considerable impact” on the health of some people. Especially those who are older or could have existing health conditions.
They believe “avoiding a single fall” can save a person “weeks, months or even years” of negative consequences.
SERMEF warns that the risk of slips, trips and falls are not limited to ice. They say wet, rainy floors also pose a risk and cause a “very high number of incidents”.
Should someone fall over, the doctors suggest checking if they are conscious first and calling 999 if you suspect they have suffered a head, neck or back injury. They say patients should not be moved until professional help arrives.
The NHS also warns not to attempt to move someone if you suspect they cannot get up. It states: “If someone else has fallen, keep them comfortable and warm. Carefully help them get up if they can, but do not try to lift them yourself.”
The Met Office recommends people leave home early if on foot during the icy conditions. It says that avoiding rushing “reduces your risk of accidents, slips and falls”.
The forecaster also suggests checking on elderly relatives or neighbours, seeing if they need anything or offering to clear their path if you are clearing your own.
