if you have snow dare you go out???

For some strange reason, this year I've felt very insecure about walking on snow/ice. It doesn't help that I live on a hill and, whichever direction I walk in, I would be either risking falling forwards going uphill or falling backwards going down.

It might be the fact that just about all the emergency service are choosing to strike here and there around Christmas, I really don't want to risk an accident which could mean waiting in freezing weather for several hours to get to a hospital. I really think I'm turning into a wuss as I get older.

When I can get out I use these...[smile}

www.youtube.com/@LeslieSansonesWalkatHome

I sat hard on my bum in 2019, thought the snow was soft and luckily it was outside my house. So no, I don`t go out in snow, even though I now have salomon snow shoes, they are for emergencies. Btw don`t go into shops with yaktrax on, they are lethal on tiled floors and were useless on a fine coating of ice, otherwise are good

Don't even consider going out in this icy weather its not worth the risk.I have not been out doors since last Friday when it first snowed here
I live in a supported housing complex where the Road is on a an incline and the Road has not been gritted at all,my SIL brought Rock Salt from work to treat the pavement for neighbours who braved going out but I'm staying put and relying on my family for shopping etc.

Sorry to hear that Oldthing, I have had a few falls over the years and it does dent confidence but feel more confident if I use sticks, might be worth a try if you don’t already, very wary of snow /ice though.

No no no a hundred times no! I fell 3 weeks ago, before the cold spell, I just tripped over an uneven paving stone. I didn't break any bones but it has really shaken me. I couldn't get up without help and I now feel so old. I am so afraid of falling again. Take care xxx

I'm afraid it is the reality of our winters! Unlike most of the country, we tend to have milder, therefore icier winters. We had a slushy snow last week, then the temperature dropped below 0c so even the slush froze. Instead of the sidewalks, we decided to take the dog to the golf course, but even the snow on the grass was frozen over so hard you couldn't break through the crust.

After a day or two the sidewalks aren't too bad since everyone has a chance to salt and sand them. We are responsible for the sidewalk in front of our houses, as are commercial properties responsible for theirs. The city takes care of the streets and in front of bus stops. as well as sidewalks that are not in front of properties.

My DH has studded grips for his boots and says they are wonderful.

Get hold of some over-shoe foot chains, and take a spiked walking pole. Having said that, last week I stepped out on to what I thought was a wet drive and came down very hard. Luckily no lasting damage.

This morning, I put on the shoe grippers and walked twenty minutes to my Zumba Gold class and was surprised to see a good turnout despite the icy roads and pavements.

We are all in our 60s and 70s, some wearing their Christmas jumpers, Christmas hats and hair bands exercising one hour to Christmas songs. It was great fun and I am glad I made the effort.

Without the shoe grippers, I dare not go out, it was so icy and slippery. I am so glad I do not have to venture out in this weather to go to work.

I do go out. Would probably think twice though if I had joint repacements, or any mobility issues. Take care everyone. Haven't taken the dog for a walk for nearly a week as been too cold and with the snow she would become too wet. Small dog, not recommended if 1°C or below.

Still quite icy here, though it doesn’t look pretty any more! I have now had eight new hips (I started early!) so darent go out until we have a thaw and even then I’ll be using my trusty sticks.

I've used these for the last 10 years when it is snowy or icey.
www.amazon.co.uk/s?hvlocphy=9045973&hvnetw=g&hvadid=606046016610&k=yax+trax&gclid=Cj0KCQiAqOucBhDrARIsAPCQL1a3ZQYpjXN6dHpF7wgsKT-kvGA8iYh3h_1Eqeb8e4xbCxQLlRe7GaoaAlKEEALw_wcB&ref=pd_sl_4ebahvll8k_e&hydadcr=13480_2322188&hvdev=c&hvqmt=e&tag=gransnetforum-21&hvtargid=kwd-317181081316&adgrpid=53523547896&hvrand=2273565076588247381
They are slower and harder to walk in than without them on my boots, but they feel safer. Stop me slipping. I am very uncoordinated and fall over anyway, never mind on snow or ice.

I didn't drive the first day of snow here, Herts, as worried about the roads. 3 years ago it took me a couple of hours to do a short trip home. I swim every morning, early. But the local facebook group said my route to the pool was clear that first day and the second I tried, and it was fine. Just the immediate first 2 minutes by the house was icey and I drove carefully.

I've been going all week but there are fewer people there.

Lizy just spotted your post!

https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202212/medium-264614-16711250018045475693047041534085.jpg https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202212/medium-635145-1671125425947587701377993535666.jpg

Yaktrax! They go over your shoes/boots and the wires give you good grip. You have to stretch them though. Mine are rather old now and don't stretch easily. I might get some new ones. They're on Amazon. It's awkward to get a decent photo of the bottom of my foot!

Haven't been out since Sunday. Now the council admits they have no grit!

Highly recommend Yaktrax. They are wonderful, can walk on ice with confidence 😊

Our road is fairly clear as we're on the route of the local Gritter. The pavements though are still very slippery. I went out all booted and muffled up to walk to the post box at the end of the road as my next door neighbour was on her drive. Her two lovely children about 13 and 8 offered to "run" to the post with my cards. How lovely was that. I almost protested that I'd be fine but gracefully and gratefully accepted their kindness and scooted back inside. I am rubbish at walking on icy paths. I shuffle rather than walk.

We have snow and the roads are OK but the long drive from my house down to the road is icey. Had to venture out for food shop today and managed to get to the road but coming home I couldn't get the car up the icey slope to the house. Had to up load all the shopping and transport it to the house and leave the car part way up the drive.. It has been a clear, sunny but freezing day and nothing has melted. As I am just recovering from a nasty, dog related, fall, am really quite fearful of slipping and have a pair of grippers to put on the soles of my shoes.

today was the womens group meeting and I was awake from about 4.30am but didnt go until gone 11am as the surfaces were all frosted and didnt look safe to walk on. Took great care but was glad to have gone to see some real human beings today!! Phones and email are great but it is good to actually see someone. Got the bread and put the prescription in etc and so dont need to go out tomorrow if it is frozen again. Am about to think about making a meal and it is a choice between curry and casserole with jacket potato. They seem to me to be the best comfort food for this kind of weather.

These may have been mentioned before but here is a link to the Crampons (shoe grippers) which I have attached to my shoes for the first time ever as we have son's dog to walk now while he is at work - son not the dog.... Brilliant!!... www.millets.co.uk/15893184/yaktrax-walker-snow-grips-15893184/?utm_source=Google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Shopping&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIj9vU3Pn7-wIVmK3tCh0Z-wduEAQYAyABEgL-hfD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds ..but I don't have a new hip to worry about...

No choice ….I live alone and need ‘stuff’ …..and to make things worse I tore my meniscus cartilage 6 weeks ago and am limping and in a brace…. but yes we have black ice all over pavements and roads and I am frit to go out….but I need to,

I too had a hip replacement after a fall in the Summer. But I have been out in the snow with snow boots and my walking stick and felt quite safe.

We have snow and ice and I have snow grippers for my shoes/boots. They are brilliant, my daughter bought them for me after I had a fall on the ice and badly sprained my wrist, thankfully I didn't break it but my goodness it was so painful.
Take care.

snows gone but very icy - hopefully we can get out tomorrow

I had a knee replacement in September so won't be going out when it's icy unless I really have to as still building up walking. I'd gone down to one crutch outside but back to two as don't feel confident. Glad I'm working from home on a phased return.