The First 60 Seconds After a Fall - Winter Edition

The First 60 Seconds After a Fall - Winter Edition

A calm, step-by-step guide to help you stay safe when someone you love falls.

When a loved one falls, the shock hits instantly.

Your mind races. Your heart drops.

It’s hard to know what to do first - especially in winter, when falls are more common and the risks are higher.

This gentle, practical guide shows you exactly what to do in the first minute after a fall, without pressure, panic, or complicated instructions.

Just simple, safe steps you can follow even when you feel stressed or unsure.

Inside this guide, you’ll learn how to:

• Stay calm and centred in the shock of a fall 
• Check for the most important early red flags
• Avoid the common mistakes that accidentally cause injury
• Recognise when you need emergency help
• Keep your loved one comfortable, safe, and supported
• Understand winter-specific risks 

This guide does not teach you how to lift or stand someone up - those skills require careful step-by-step moving & handling techniques.

Instead, it gives you the essential first steps to protect both of you before anything else happens.

Why This Matters

Falls are frightening - for both you and your loved one.

Knowing what to do in those first moments helps you feel confident and prevents minor mistakes from becoming serious injuries.

This calm, clear guidance supports you when you need it most.

About the Author

This resource was created by Monica Iofciu, a UK-registered Occupational Therapist with over 8 years of OT experience and 9 years of professional carer experience.

Monica has also looked after her own mother during her cancer journey until she passed away, so she understands what family carers like you deal with daily.

Monica founded Handlewell Academy to give carers trustworthy, step-by-step, practical guidance - without jargon, overwhelm, or pressure.

What happens after you download

You will receive an email with a link to your downloadable PDF file.

You’ll also receive a few gentle follow-up emails with extra winter falls tips.

No pressure, no spam - unsubscribe anytime.

If you found this helpful

You may also benefit from the Carer’s Essentials Toolkit, which includes clear, step-by-step guides for supporting your loved one safely at home with everyday moving and handling.

You can also access more free resources here: Free Resources for Family Carers.