Winter brings crisp mornings, cosy evenings, and festive celebrations, but it also brings a rise in seasonal injuries and emergencies. From slippery paths to cold-related illness, this time of year can catch people off guard. With a little essential first aid knowledge, you can be prepared to help yourself and others if the need arises over the colder months.
One of the most common winter issues is slips and falls. Icy pavements, wet leaves, and darker evenings mean sprains, strains, and fractures happen more often. If someone falls, check for pain, swelling, or difficulty moving the injured area.
First aid for sprains, strains, or suspected fractures:
- Encourage the person to rest and avoid putting weight on the injury.
- Apply a cold compress for up to 20 minutes (wrapped in material, never directly on skin).
- Support the limb in a comfortable position.
- If you suspect a fracture – deformity, severe pain, inability to move the limb – seek urgent medical help.
Cold-related illnesses also become more common in winter. Hypothermia, a dangerous drop in body temperature, can affect anyone exposed to cold weather for too long. Early signs include shivering, pale or cold skin, confusion, and slurred speech.
First aid for hypothermia:
- Move the person indoors or to a sheltered area.
- Remove any wet clothing.
- Warm slowly by wrapping them in warm layers, blankets, or coats (avoid rubbing the skin, hot baths or hot water bottles).
- Offer warm drinks if they’re fully alert (avoid caffeine and alcohol).
- Seek medical help, hypothermia is a medical emergency.
Another cold-related condition is frostbite, which happens when body tissues freeze – usually in fingers, toes, ears, or the nose. Skin may appear pale, hard, or waxy. Symptoms also include numbness, a stinging or burning sensation or a painful throb or ache.
First aid for frostbite:
- Move the person to a warm environment.
- Warm the area gradually using body heat (e.g., hands under armpits).
- Or place the affected body part in warm (not hot) water, dry and apply a lightly wrapped dressing.
- Do not rub or massage the area.
- Do not apply direct heat such as fires, radiators, or hot water.
- Seek medical advice if there is numbness, swelling, blistering, or persistent pain.
Sadly, winter also brings an increase in burns, often caused by hot water bottles, electric blankets, heaters, open fires, or hot drinks. Burns should always be treated quickly to prevent further damage.
First aid for burns:
- Cool the burn under cool running water for at least 20 minutes.
- Remove jewellery or tight clothing near the burn.
- Cover with cling film or a sterile dressing.
- Never use ice, creams, oils, or home remedies.
- Seek urgent help for deep burns, large burns, facial burns, chemical or electrical burns or burns in children or the elderly.
Finally, festive activities can bring unexpected allergic reactions, from new foods to dusty decorations or seasonal plants. Mild reactions may include hives or itching (which can usually be treated with over-the counter antihistamine) but severe reactions (anaphylaxis) can be life-threatening.
Symptoms of anaphylaxis:
- Swelling of the tongue and throat.
- Difficulty breathing or rapid breathing.
- Difficulty swallowing, tightness in the throat or a hoarse voice.
- Wheezing, coughing or noisy breathing.
- Feeling tired or confused.
- Feeling faint, dizzy or fainting.
- Skin that feels cold to the touch.
- Blue, grey or pale skin, lips or tongue – if you have brown or black skin, this may be easier to see on the palms of your hands or soles of your feet
First aid for severe allergic reactions:
- Use an adrenaline auto-injector immediately if available, administer in the outer thigh.
- Call 999 straight away.
- Help the person to sit up (or lie down and raise the legs if feeling faint).
- A second auto-injector may be needed after 5 minutes if symptoms continue but use in the opposite thigh.
Winter may come with its challenges, but with some basic first aid knowledge and quick thinking, you can feel confident and prepared. Knowing how to respond can make all the difference.
If you’d like to learn more first aid and be prepared for any season, you can join one of our upcoming first aid courses or get in touch for more information: Get in touch
