Freezing aged given weird ‘wiggle toes’ recommendation forward of UK snow and ice blast
The bizarre advice was given by a Reform-led council in the north as part of ‘winter wellness’ tips to keep the vulnerable warm amid incoming wintry blasts
Elderly people worried about keeping warm in the rapidly plummeting temperatures are being advised to simply “wiggle their toes”.
The bizarre advice, given in the middle of a brutal cold snap, has been given by one northern council which has said it is simply trying to help “vulnerable” residents. Durham County Council gave the advice for the old and vulnerable to “wiggle their toes’ to stay warm ahead of the incoming deadly Arctic blast.
The top tip was given on Durham’s website in advance of the incoming cold snap, which is forecast to bring temperatures as low as minus 8C in the area in the next week.
The UK Health Security Agency has issued cold health alerts for all of England from 8pm on Sunday until midday on January 5. And in anticipation of the brutal weather, Durham, which is led by the Reform party, has issued the guidance as part of a “co-ordinated partnership approach to winter wellness.”
Other top tips in the guidance include ‘keep moving’, ‘eating well’ and ‘wearing several layers of clothing’.
The UK Health Security Agency says the incoming weather is “likely to cause significant impact across health and social care services”, including a ‘rise in deaths’ among those with health conditions or aged 65 and over.
Met Office forecaster Dan Stroud said: “We’re losing settled but chilly conditions and bringing in more wintry hazards in the forecast.”
Around 40cm of snow is expected across the UK. A low pressure system from the west will hit the UK, colliding with the cold air, meaning there will be plenty of snow and by January 6 it is expected cover the length of the UK down to the south coast.
Forecasters say they expect the cold snap to ease slightly by January 10.
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