Avoid slips, trips and falls during the cold snap

The HSE has urged the public, especially older or more vulnerable people, to take extra care during the cold snap to avoid slips, trips and falls. Older people should not venture outdoors in severe weather if possible.

The public are reminded that many injuries can be treated at the 14 injury units around the country.  People who do unfortunately suffer injury as a result of falls are urged to use these injury units where available, thus avoiding possible lengthy waits at emergency departments which are currently particularly busy because of flu.

Details of injury units

It is important that people continue to consider all options and pathways available to them before attending the emergency department, which are always available to treat seriously ill patients with the sickest patients seen first. People with less severe injuries and symptoms may have to wait to be seen.  If you need care, visit your pharmacy, GP or family doctor, GP Out of Hours, or an injury unit for non-serious injuries.

Many slips, trips and falls are preventable. A leaflet, ‘Be Winter Ready – Advice for Older People’, is available at the Government’s Be Winter Ready website with lots of helpful tips on how to be safe in your home and outdoors this winter. The public are asked to check on neighbours who are elderly and vulnerable.

Injury units treat recent injuries that are not life-threatening and unlikely to result in admission to hospital.  See hse.ie/injuryunits for more information on locations and opening times. Most injury units treat patients over 5 years of age. Some injury units have higher age limits, please check the website before you go.

Injury units can treat:

• broken bones, sprains and strains, from knees to toes
• broken bones, sprains and strains, from collarbone to fingertips
• minor facial injuries (including oral, dental and nasal injuries)
• minor scalds and burns
• wounds, bites, cuts, grazes and scalp lacerations (cuts)
• small abscesses and boils
• splinters and fish hooks
• objects stuck in eyes, ears or nose
• minor head injuries (fully-conscious patients, who did not have loss of consciousness or vomit after the head injury).

The HSE advises people to keep warm, eat well and avoid unnecessary travel.  People should have regular hot meals and drink plenty of fluids. This will keep you warm and will give you energy to keep active indoors. Ensure you have sufficient supplies of food and of any prescription medicine you may need. People should have sufficient fuel supplies to maintain adequate heating in your home. Keep your mobile phone charged and if you must go outside, wear non-slip footwear. The public are asked to make a special effort to keep in contact with their neighbours and relatives, particularly those living alone.

HSE’s Public Health advice about staying safe during cold weather