The North West Ambulance Service is advising residents in Kirkby, Merseyside, to take extra care during the current cold weather to ensure emergency services remain available for life-threatening situations. This guidance comes as an Arctic air mass brings freezing temperatures to the region during the February half-term break.
A cold-health alert issued by the UK Health Security Agency remains in effect until Monday, February 16, 2026. This alert coincides with icy conditions on roads and pavements, following a period of heavy rainfall that has made surfaces particularly slippery for pedestrians and drivers.
Health officials report that approximately 40% of all annual emergency call-outs for falls occur during the colder winter months. To help manage this demand, the public is encouraged to use the NHS 111 online service for help with minor injuries or winter illnesses rather than calling 999.
In response to the freezing temperatures, Knowsley Council has activated emergency measures to support the community’s most vulnerable members. These measures include providing warm beds and additional support for residents who are sleeping rough or struggling to stay warm during the cold snap.
The ambulance service reminds the community that 999 should only be used in an emergency when someone’s life is at risk. For all other urgent health concerns, medical help can be found through the NHS app or by visiting the 111 website.
About this article: This story was put together with the help of AI tools and checked by a real person on our team. We're a small crew trying to cover as much of the UK as we can on a limited budget. We're getting better every day - but we're not perfect yet. If something looks off, let us know. You're part of the process.
