15 years on from the 'guy who slipped on the ice' — how to prevent slips and falls in icy conditions

15 years on from one of the most-watched RTÉ News clips of all-time, people are being reminded of the big freeze that gripped the country in 2010

Today marks 15 years since the infamous ‘slip’ on RTÉ News that went viral during the deep chill of 2010. Picture: Screengrab from RTE News.

Today marks 15 years since an infamous ‘slip’ on RTÉ News that went viral during the deep chill of 2010.

During a deep freeze across the country, RTÉ was reporting on dangerous conditions in Dublin when one man slipped in front of the national broadcaster while the camera was rolling and became a viral sensation.

In 2020, Coors marked the 10-year anniversary of the incident by erecting a plaque ‘in honour of the guy who slipped on the ice’ at the site of the slip.

Now, 15 years on from one of the most-watched RTÉ News clips of all time, this week's weather forecast is reminding people of the big freeze that gripped the country in 2010.

On Sunday, heavy snowfall blanketed the country and temperatures dropped to well below zero.

Met Éireann has forecast that temperatures will continue to drop over the coming days and a status orange low temperature and ice warning will be in place from 6pm today to 11am on Thursday.

People are being advised to stay safe in the freezing temperatures, particularly those venturing outside.

Pedestrians and those making their way to/from their vehicles have been advised to be extra vigilant in the slippy conditions and to walk like a penguin by taking small shuffle-like steps with their feet pointing outwards, to keep their hands out of their pockets, to wear footwear with grips and to be aware of changing surfaces.

A quick reminder..... #sneachta

❄ When things are icy...

🐧Walk like a penguin...

🚶🏻‍♂️ Walk with a wide base

🖐🏼Hands out of pockets

👣 Feet pointing outwards

👟Wear footwear with grips pic.twitter.com/om1Wb2iRxV

— Dublin Fire Brigade (@DubFireBrigade) January 5, 2025

Speaking to the Irish Examiner, third officer at Cork City Fire Brigade Gerard Ryan advised people to salt their driveways as “a lot of accidents happen between in your driveway or on the footpath on the way into your house”.

“What we’re saying to people is use the salts on their own driveways. The public footpaths are being done but a lot of the dangers are between peoples’ front doors and the front gate,” he said.

“Utilise the household salts just to melt the ice - anything at all that will make the surface rough. It could even be some sand but the sand, unfortunately, would freeze over time. You can buy bags of coarse salt very easily from any of the builder providers and it's not expensive.

“The councils are looking after the roads and the footpaths but a lot of accidents happen in your driveway or on the footpath on the way into your house so just be aware that the temperatures are dropping rapidly.” 

Mr Ryan also advised people to use handrails where possible and to be aware of snow-covered steps and objects.

“If you’re in an area that is hit with heavy snow, it’s easier to keep it there than trying to go out and find the boundaries. Make sure you can see a pathway properly because people are falling on steps and falling over where they don’t see that flower pot or other things covered in snow,” he said.

“With all the frost that’s coming now, we’re just telling people to be vigilant.”