The NHS has issued a warning to anyone planning on heading out at night as the UK braces for an onslught of snow and freezing temperatures.
The Met Office issued several yellow snow warnings covering most of the UK over the coming days.
This has seen the NHS urging people not to go out early in the morning or late at night, and to also stock up on food and medication in concerns for people’s health over the next week.
West Midlands, NHS Black County Integrated Care board notified people of the risks of slips, trips and falls.
It said: “Avoid going out early in the morning when frost is thick or late at night when it’s dark,” while also advising people to wear shoes with good grip while keeping their hands three to stabilise themselves in the event of any falls.
The Wye Valley NHS Trust in Herefordshire said: “Make sure you have sufficient food and medicine and take measures to reduce draughts in your home.”
Nuneaton’s George Eliot Hospital NHS Trust also provided people with the same advice.
According to advice from the NHS and UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), people should check their medicine cabinets for essentials. It is vital to keep active by not sitting still for longer than an hour.
It’s also been advised to wear multiple layers of thinner clothing to remain warm.
The UKHSA upped the previous yellow alert to amber, warning of that there would be “significant impacts” on health services.
Amber alerts are specifically issued when health and social care is affected, and there is a “potential for the whole population to be at risk”. This has resulted in the NHS urging people to check in with one another over the course of the period.
There are warnings of a rise in death among those aged 65 and over or with health conditions as the UKHSA says that the vulnerable will be at risk as keeping homes at 18C while temperatures hit below zero outside is a challenge.
Caroline Abrahams, director of Age UK, said: “We urge older people to do everything they can to stay warm, even if that means risk spending more on their heating than they feel they can afford.
“The energy companies are under an obligation to help if you are struggling and there may be support available from your local council too. Better that than to jeopardise your health.”
