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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To be terrified of the ice?

113 replies

MissLucyEyelesbarrow · 14/12/2022 09:12

Is this just me? Everywhere I look, people are marching confidently around on the ice. Meanwhile, I have just binned off meeting a friend for coffee because I am too scared to walk a couple of hundred metres on icy pavements. I haven't got osteoporosis or any particular reason to be frightened of slipping - I just am. (To avoid drip-feeding, I do have a disability that affects one leg, but I don't think this is the reason - I would be scared anyway.)

What makes it even more pathetic, is that I grew up partly in a country with much more snow, and go back there regularly. It's different there though - in the middle of winter, the snow & ice are deep and packed, so you can wear walking spikes on your boots, and I am fine there. Also, they are much better at clearing pavements whereas, in the UK, we only seem to care about cars slipping, not pedestrians.

Does anyone have tips for getting my head around this? I feel really pathetic.

OP posts:
JonSnowedUnder · 14/12/2022 09:17

I am the same, just did the school run and all the parents and kids (including my own) were walking around normally whereas I'm slow penguin walking.

I have had a bad fall on the ice once, years ago but I think I would be the same even if I hadn't.

So no tips but you're not the only one.

JackieDaws · 14/12/2022 09:20

Agree. I'm from Northern Finland originally and never slipped over once living there. Here it's awful and dangerous. I live at the bottom of a hill and the paths are like an ice rink. It's impossible to walk up and down without spikes or yaktraks.

Soozikinzii · 14/12/2022 09:20

Im the same but especially with driving on it. We live down side roads which never seem.to get clear . And our driveway is on a slope.

ohthehorrorthehorror · 14/12/2022 09:23

I avoid walking in icy conditions if possible after a fall where I broke my wrist some years ago, but I have found yaktrax to be very good. They clip over your shoes and make walking in and icy conditions much easier and safer.

YakTrax Pro Traction Device Small amzn.eu/d/3IxEisB

Middledazedted · 14/12/2022 09:25

Yak tracks but take them off before you go in a supermarket or you will fall over there!

MadameSzyszkoBohusz · 14/12/2022 09:26

No, scares me too. I have to get the dog out and he pulls on the lead, I'm sure it's only a matter of time before he pulls me off my feet. Worried about the DC at school too, as only a very haphazard job has been done of clearing the paths.

WandaWonder · 14/12/2022 09:27

We used to walk to nursery then onto work in the snow and ice, we had walking boots on and went slow, it felt safer than driving and not worth it on public tranplsport

TheGuv1982 · 14/12/2022 09:28

I flew over about 12 years ago, and have taken icy pavements very seriously after that!

maranella · 14/12/2022 09:29

You do seem a bit overcautious OP, but I agree that the clearance of paths is awful in the UK. No one does it and they're treacherous at the moment. With the NHS on its knees you really don't want to be adding to the load turning up at A&E, to say nothing of the pain and inconvenience of a broken wrist.

CurlsandCurves · 14/12/2022 09:30

Definitely recommend YakTrax. I’m the same with ice and snow, I’m so nervous about walking in it. A few years ago I slipped, went right up in the air and landed flat on my back which really knocked my confidence (and was extremely painful!).

But with those things on my feet I can walk normally and feel totally safe.

Whatevergetsyouthroughthenight · 14/12/2022 09:30

I have a real fear too, I use a walking pole when it’s icy, I keep one in the car during the winter.

CaptainMyCaptain · 14/12/2022 09:30

Sometimes it's worse if the snow is cleared from pavements. If it melts and then re-freezes you get a thin layer of black ice. I often choose to walk on the snowy bits (or on the grass if there is any) as there's more grip.

EmmaAgain22 · 14/12/2022 09:30

I'm the same
I had a spinal injury - not from ice! - but I am so incompetent walking on icy roads, I don't do it if I can possibly avoid it.

FourTeaFallOut · 14/12/2022 09:31

The only time I've been okay on ice was when I was pushing my kids around in a pram. Apparently I need 6 points of contact or I'm like bloody Bambi.

Greydogs123 · 14/12/2022 09:32

Apparently putting socks over your shoes can really help, if you’ve not got anything else.

SchoolNightWine · 14/12/2022 09:32

I wear shoes boots with Vibram soles, which are really grippy in most conditions, but spikes mentioned above would be good too. You need to feel confident that your footwear are going to grip.
Also walking poles are amazing. Alpkit do some great folding ones.

RosesAndHellebores · 14/12/2022 09:33

I do have severe osteoporosis and have broken 5 bones in the last 6 years. Two vertebrae have collapsed by 50%. Inject anabolic daily as my bones didn't respond that well to zolendronate.

I haven't been out since Saturday. Looking forward to the weekend. Fortunately work is sympathetic and I am covered by my risk assessment so working from home.

I have proper walking snow boots in the event that I do have to venture out. We are a private road then a side road so no gritting except where residents do and it's a bit hit and miss. DH and DD have happily trotted out to work this week. In their walking boots.

Iwantmyoldnameback · 14/12/2022 09:34

When I was young people would clear the snow the length of their boundaries so most pavements were clear. I remember my neighbour and I doing our own and our elderly neighbours. Then it was said you could be sued if anyone fell on the bit cleared so everyone stopped. Shame really.

Pavementfaller · 14/12/2022 09:39

I tripped on a pavement last week (not due to ice) and have bruised ribs and face. - including a broken nose - as a result. So this week I am being very cautious indeed and am simply not going out, as I really don't want to risk even a stumble.

Mischance · 14/12/2022 09:39

I have osteoporosis and am mega-careful. Any fall would result in a break. Take care everyone!

saleorbouy · 14/12/2022 09:40

Wear footwear suitable for the under foot conditions. I have a pair of Scarpa mojito walking shoes that are great for these conditions. (Waterproof too and loads
of great colours)
As others have said there are plenty of clip on sole accessories that improve the grip to alleviate your fears.
Speak to the council and ask for a grit box to be placed near the school run areas or in your neighbourhood.

Westfacing · 14/12/2022 09:46

I understand your caution - yesterday I went out with a friend wearing my trusty ankle Wellie Bobs, which have deep tread and usually so reliable. But no matter the tread if you happen to inadvertently step on sleek solid ice no manner of tread will save you. I had a few tiny 'wobbles' but stayed upright.

And yes it's galling to see people striding along in normal shoes/trainers, even joggers going at speed! All a mater of confidence, and luck.

FirstnameSuesecondnamePerb · 14/12/2022 09:47

Yanbu.
I fell on ice at work (sheet ice formed on a marble paved area)
I landed on my knee that then hurt on and off for 4 months. It's put me right off.

Unifolorn · 14/12/2022 09:49

It's not too bad her thankfully, but years ago I bought a pair of snow boots with really good grip on them. I only use them when it's icy as don't want to needlessly wear them out, but footwear does make a huge difference.

BarrelOfOtters · 14/12/2022 09:51

Yep me too, it's not even that bad here. I'm wearing proper treaded boots. I was penguin walking in and someone trotted past in bare ankles and little ballet pumps. Cow.