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if you have snow dare you go out???

(100 Posts)
travelsafar Mon 12-Dec-22 11:59:54

We have had a large fall of snow where i live. The road outside looks treachrous and i am afraid to go out for my daily walk. I feel guilty i'm missing my daily exercise but can not risk my new hip which was done back in the summer.

Fingers crossed it won't be so bad tomorrow. Dare you go outside today???

foxie48 Mon 12-Dec-22 20:24:07

Yes, still walking the dog but I make sure I have a phone on me just in case I do slip. We have decided that in the event of an accident OH will get me into a car and drive me into A&E so I am being very careful! Decent boots help definitely not wellies. I'm not riding though as the arena is frozen and the roads are too icy so horse is not getting his usual exercise and is being a bit silly in the field, you'd think he'd never seen snow before.

Tenko Mon 12-Dec-22 20:24:58

I’m my dm 87 main carer and had to go out to get her shopping. I waited until lunchtime when the roads were clearer. My road was a bit slippery but the main roads were clear . Also had to walk the dog . I’m fairly fit and healthy, but if I had mobility issues I wouldn’t have gone out

crazyH Mon 12-Dec-22 20:29:01

I just went round, hoping to drop Cards off to my neighbours, but returned after 4 houses - the pavement was very slippery.

lixy Mon 12-Dec-22 20:36:45

Main roads here are fine but side roads are dodgy.
The pavements were fine as I trudged down the hill this morning through new snow. Coming back tonight was rather treacherous as the snow was trampled to ice. so
I had to go out today. Can cancel tomorrow's things if need be so won't go out if pavements still bad. Not worth the risk.

Elegran Mon 12-Dec-22 21:00:45

The problem with British snow is that the temperature doesn't stay cold enough. It thaws enough to be largely water, which freezes into an ice sheet, which then gets covered by further falls of snow and is lethal to anyone with mobility issues, or just without young muscles that can hold them steady if they slip.

Patsy70 Mon 12-Dec-22 21:24:30

Why are some people so very smug? 🙄 You might be confident, but not everyone is!
If you feel unsafe about going out in the snow and freezing weather, don’t risk it! You are endangering yourself if you are unsteady and have a fall, and also those who might need emergency treatment for a heart attack or stroke.

Kim19 Mon 12-Dec-22 21:36:16

I'm with MaizieD on this in that the safest place is usually fresh crispy snow that footwear get a grip into. Treated roads are vulnerable to 're icing' in such low temperatures thus making them slippery.

Daisymae Mon 12-Dec-22 23:25:11

Yes, walked the dog. We have snow here but it was obviously melting a bit so it was slushy. It's freezing now so I think that it will be more treacherous in the morning.

Catterygirl Tue 13-Dec-22 00:50:23

I have a routine test at the surgery arranged by the bossy pharmacist on Wednesday. Going to postpone until the New Year. Not risking breaking a fourth bone for something that can wait three weeks. Won’t be walking anywhere until the snow melts. Stay safe ladies.

Whitewavemark2 Tue 13-Dec-22 07:00:20

We only had a small sprinkle of snow but it is very icy.

About 6 years ago we bought some metal things that fit onto my walking boots, and yesterday I wore them for the first time.

They are brilliant!

I live on the Downs so very hilly and I could walk up and down the hills without slipping when everyone around me were having real difficulties. I am still very careful, but didn’t slip at all. I am normally without any confidence at all, but felt much safer.

Madgran77 Tue 13-Dec-22 07:13:06

I find myself with a very exaggerated fear of falling since being diagnosed with pretty severe knee osteoarthritis arthritis! Despite good walking boots and so on the smallest amount of ice has my brains screaming!! The fear is basically of exacerbating the problem.
Anyway I made myself go out yesyerday and "face the fear" because it was annoying me so much, (and I needed some tomatoes!) and I survived! Today ..much more ice and I have a dentist appointment!! Bleugh!

Grammaretto Tue 13-Dec-22 07:23:38

It's absolutely lethal here so I will stay home!!
Having fallen and broken my wrist twice yeats ago I would be extremely cautious . Missing an outing in freezing conditions maybe well be saving your lungs

Aveline Tue 13-Dec-22 08:25:39

No snow here but -8 so very icy. I'm not planning on going out today. The ward where I volunteer has been closed by infection control due to Covid so no need to go. It's ages since the ward was closed last time. I'm left worrying about some of the poor patients I've befriended. sad

Blondiescot Tue 13-Dec-22 10:14:14

Can't say I've seen anyone being smug on this thread! Went out to defrost the car this morning so I could take GS to school - couldn't even get into the car as every door was frozen solid. Eventually managed to get the rear driver's side door open, so had to climb in there, over to the front passenger seat and eventually into the driver's seat - what a performance! Temperature on car read -9C! Got him to school and got back safely, but still can't open the driver's door, so had to resort to clambering around again.

Aveline Tue 13-Dec-22 10:18:42

Well done Blondiescot. You're obviously very flexible. I couldn't have done that. Meanwhile the temperature here has shot up to a glowing -4!

luluaugust Tue 13-Dec-22 10:23:07

I am in until the snow and ice has gone, I already have a replacement shoulder and osteoporosis, I just couldn't put DH through what happened when I fell last time if it is avoidable. I do feel a bit of a wimp but facts are facts and that is it.
Goodness Blondiescot you have my admiration.

henetha Tue 13-Dec-22 10:24:23

I was going out today but yesterday my car froze and the battery died completely. So my son is bringing a new battery today and fitting it. So I hope to go out tomorrow. There is snow forecast for tonight though so we shall see. I feel safer in my car than on my feet in ice and snow.

biglouis Tue 13-Dec-22 10:33:13

I live in a leafy suburb where you never see a gritter so the roads and pavements are icy. I dont go outside my gate in this weather except by car ot taxi. If I venture into the garden I stick to the gravel bits (which are not slippy) and avoid the flags. Its bin day tomorrow and my nephew usually puts mine out for me the night before but I will tell him not to tonight. The bin men often leave them on the other side of the street and Im not risking myself for a bl***y bin.

TerriBull Tue 13-Dec-22 10:49:51

Not too bad where we are, managed to get into our nearby market town a mile or so away yesterday, cautious as far as the ice is concerned did a bit Christmas shopping then had a late lunch at Cote, off to do some more today.

We had 3 days away staying in the Cotswolds with friends last week, saw it at its very best, crisp cold days but really sunny, I don't think it would be so easy to get up there this week given the weather.

Greyduster Tue 13-Dec-22 10:49:52

All the remaining snow I can see is on the fields. Our roads are clear for now and I am making hay while the sun shines, exercising my new three week old hip outdoors for tentative walks on my crutches. From hereon in I shall, of necessity, be a total winter wimp. The minute there’s a sniff of ice or snow, that’s it. The year before last we had quite a lot of snow and I couldn’t get the car out to go for a medical appointment so I put on my walking boots and walked the mile and a quarter only to find the designated nurse I was supposed to see had not managed to get in at all. No-one had let me know, but someone took pity on me!

aonk Tue 13-Dec-22 11:37:42

Except in the case of illness I never ( lockdowns included) stay at home all day. I always go out. Walking in the snow is safe with the appropriate boots but it’s best to walk in the untrodden areas when possible. I’m lucky that I live a 10 minute walk from my local high street where the pavements have been gritted.
Going out just makes me feel so much better.

lovebeigecardigans1955 Tue 13-Dec-22 11:48:27

I hate going out in snow, if there's a heavy frost or if the pavements have any excuse to be slippery, as I've suffered nasty falls in those circumstances. Once bitten, twice shy as someone once said.

rosie1959 Tue 13-Dec-22 11:52:13

I have to go out but this morning was exceptionally icy. I usually start my car stick the blowers on and it clears itself but had to scrape this morning. No snow left but pavements were black ice.
Back roads not that good more gear change and minimal breaking. Now I have lost tyre pressure so will have to go to garage to top them up. Note must find gloves !

Hetty58 Tue 13-Dec-22 12:28:53

I didn't risk taking the bin to the end of the sloping drive. I doubt the bin men will get here anyway. Still, I'd really like a walk - if/when I find the stretchy gripper things for my boots. Where on Earth would I have put them? The dog will have to stay indoors, though.

FoghornLeghorn Tue 13-Dec-22 12:53:49

One of the best ways to walk without slipping is to wear a pair of socks over your shoes/boots. Obviously it isn’t great for the socks so use an old pair. Better still, if you have a husband/partner steal his and when he bemoans his increasing lack of socks just look innocent and deny all knowledge. 😂