NHS officials have demonstrated how people should walk like a penguin to avoid potentially dangerous falls on icy surfaces during the cold snap.
The officials were filmed waddling outside NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde to show how it was done.
Dr Emilia Crighton, the director for public health on the board, said: “While it might seem silly to walk or waddle like penguin, the alternative may be a nasty injury or even a time in hospital.
“Remember, when it comes to getting around on ice, penguins know best, so when you’re out and about in the next few days, adopting the penguin stance is a really effective way to move without falling.”
NHSGGC also issued a three-step guide to walking like a penguin: “Step 1 – legs out, step 2 – soft knee bend, step 3 – arms out.”
At a time of acute winter pressure on the NHS, Crighton urged the public to only attend hospital for the most serious falls.
“A&E is there to help the sickest people and treat the most urgent emergencies, and we would always advise anyone who thinks their condition or injury is very urgent or life-threatening to call 999 or go to A&E immediately.”
The warning came during the coldest period of the winter so far and the harshest January for five years.
Hundreds of schools have remained shut for a fourth day, as weather warnings, including an amber alert, remain in place across many parts of the country.
Preliminary data from the Met Office indicates temperatures fell to as low as -13.6C at Tulloch Bridge in the Highlands.
The UK had its coldest night of the winter so far on Tuesday into Wednesday, when Dalwhinnie, in the Highlands, recorded a temperature of -14C.
Parts of Scotland and Northern Ireland have a yellow snow and ice warning spanning the whole of Thursday, while shorter snow and ice warnings are in place for Wales and south-west England until 11am on Thursday, and in eastern England until midday on Thursday, with the possibility of wintry showers causing icy patches.
National Rail said the wintry weather could affect train journeys on Thursday, with Great Northern, Thameslink, ScotRail and South Western Railway already experiencing delays.
Another frosty night is forecast into Friday, and while it will be breezier with more cloud in some places, lows of -10C will be likely in some areas.
