As temperatures plunged to below -13C in some parts, health experts have said the best way to prevent slips and trips is to “walk like a penguin”.
But what’s the science? Well, university researchers are assessing why the birds always snow best.
Dr Gordon Hendry from Glasgow Caledonian University said: “When there is no friction in the ground, the ideal way of getting around is by altering the way that your foot hits the ground.
“You put your bodyweight over the planted limb and we can test that quite nicely using this motion capture system.
“If you just think ‘I am going to walk the way a penguin walks’, it is a much simpler message, it is much easier to remember.”
Walking like a penguin starts with bending slightly and keeping your knees loose.
You then point your feet outwards, extend your arms, and then take short, deliberate steps.
As long as you keep your centre of gravity over your feet, you should be able to stay stable.
So remember – with frostier days and nights still to come, save yourself a trip to A&E and walk like a penguin.
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