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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:
zighead · 14/12/2022 10:29

I'm terrified too after falling badly a few years back. I make sure I wear shoes with excellent grips these days.
I always despair at the elderly folks out at the crack of dawn doing their probably unnecessary errands that they always do at that particular time.

musicandpassion · 14/12/2022 10:33

It's not unreasonable at all. It's dangerous and the paths aren't cleared even nearly enough. I'm going out today to get some grit for my drive and the end of our street.
I work in an NHS hospital and we have about 15-20 patients with fractured neck of femurs waiting to be fixed. We are cancelling elective operations to get these patients done but we're also struggling for beds for them to go to after they've been to theatre. Stay safe

Original poster
MissLucyEyelesbarrow · 14/12/2022 10:37

Thank you for all the YakTraks recommendations. I love my Microspikes for deep ice, but they don't work on a thin layer of sheet ice, which is what the UK usually gets.

I don't understand how walking poles help though? Surely, they can't save you if you slip on sheet ice?

OP posts:
blobby10 · 14/12/2022 10:38

@MissLucyEyelesbarrow I'm the same as you this winter! I usually love walking in any weathers and stride confidently down the road in weather like this. No disabilities or illnesses BUT a few weeks ago I fell off my bike and was badly bruised. Didn't stop me doing anything but did make me realise a) how many people I have depending on me to keep going and b) that there isn't anyone I could ask to look after me if I was actually injured. I think this is playing on my mind as it's really not like me - I don't even walk down to the gym 1/4 mile away because I'm worried about slipping. For context, this was my first fall off my bike in 10,000 miles and I've only ever pulled a muscle once whilst walking in icy conditions so I've no idea where its coming from.

My adult kids are all home this weekend for a few weeks so I'm hoping that they can help me get my confidence back a bit and get outside again!

ANiceBigCupOfTea · 14/12/2022 10:50

I'm the same, OP.
I have Dyspraxia and ice is a real challenge.

JamSandle · 14/12/2022 10:51

I've never worried about it but a couple of years ago I fell on ice after walking for a few hours harm-free and really hurt my back. Thankfully not seriously! I'm more cautious now.

GonnaGetGoingReturns · 14/12/2022 10:54

YADNBU.

I hate the ice. Have broken my right foot twice - not on ice but don’t want to tempt fate and break it again.

Bloody useless with hardly any grit on pavements but some was on them today.

givemushypeasachance · 14/12/2022 10:55

I'm cautious - I usually cycle to work but refuse to in sub-zero temperatures. You can't see black ice in advance or 'test' the pavement with your foot when you're cycling along at speed, and it only takes one dodgy patch to take you down and then boom broken collarbone/arm/whatever else. Pain, inconvenience, weeks or months of disability.

Packed snow is one thing, but we had a bit of snow on Sunday - and it's barely got above freezing since then. The snow melts a little and re-freezes and then is slippery to cross.

SchoolNightWine · 14/12/2022 10:58

MissLucyEyelesbarrow · 14/12/2022 10:37

Thank you for all the YakTraks recommendations. I love my Microspikes for deep ice, but they don't work on a thin layer of sheet ice, which is what the UK usually gets.

I don't understand how walking poles help though? Surely, they can't save you if you slip on sheet ice?

Because 4 'legs' are better than 2!
They have metal tips that dig into the ice and you place your feet lighter, so less chance of slipping.

GonnaGetGoingReturns · 14/12/2022 10:58

I know how penguins must feel but at least they have claws for gripping and not slipping on ice.

Rightsraptor · 14/12/2022 11:01

You're being sensible. I break out into a cold sweat if I have to go out in the ice and snow. I know snow is OK but it can be hiding the treacherous ice underneath.

I've had a hip replacement and I'm borderline osteopenic which adds to my worry. Or is maybe the cause.

With hours' long waits for an ambulance and then the same in A&E - who wants to go through that?

ouch321 · 14/12/2022 11:02

I walk in the road. Much safer than the pavements.

Obv not possible if it's a major road but on residential roads I just move to the side if a car is coming and back out once they have passed.

ChiefWiggumsBoy · 14/12/2022 11:14

I don't want to fall over so I am more careful but no I'm not terrified. I did fall a few years ago and had a concussion so it's not that nothing has ever happened to me.

WashAsDelicates · 14/12/2022 11:16

I use a hiking pole when walking in freezing conditions. I usually twist it down to walking stick height for pavements. Gives me reassurance that I have another point of contact with the ground. I once slipped on the ice, skidded right across the pavement, and ended up with my legs under a parked car. That was quite scary. Added bonus of using something that looks like a walking stick is that people coming the opposite way give way to me!

Dolallytats · 14/12/2022 11:21

I fell on my way to get the kids from school yesterday. I now have a cut lip that is swollen, a sore tooth where I hit it on the pavement (very lucky, I have no idea how I didn't lose it) my knees are bruised and painful and my arms feel like I've gone 10 rounds. I was also very lucky not to knock myself out because my head landed jusf a couple of millimetres away from a brick wall. I really don't want to go out again until this ice has melted.
I fell on a busy high road in London, no gritting of any kind which is just madness.
The good thing about it was that a lovely man helped me and offered to walk me home and one of the other mums was walking behind me when I fell and she picked the kids up for Mr.

Nutella22 · 14/12/2022 11:27

YANBU OP, I feel the same and haven't left the house since Saturday - lucky I'm able to stay home I guess. Feeling really pathetic about it as I'm normally out every day and love walking but feel so nervous about slipping etc...Have a click and collect waiting at an Amazon locker which is going to be sent back today if I don't collect it so even more annoyed at myself for not going out.

Postgraddope · 14/12/2022 11:32

After having a horrific fall in mid summer with sensible walking shoes and breaking arm and dislocated shoulder I am now absolutely petrified of falling.I fell last week as well and injured my knee. I have been out but have walked like an old person.
You can really understand how the elderly loose their confidence after a fall !

SinnerBoy · 14/12/2022 11:37

MissLucyEyelesbarrow

You're not being unreasonable, you're being sensible, especially as you have a disability. On Monday, all the paths where I live were glassy with black ice and it was horrible, even in walking boots.

MayISuggestSomeThickCutSteakChipsToGoWithThat · 14/12/2022 11:40

MissLucyEyelesbarrow · 14/12/2022 10:37

Thank you for all the YakTraks recommendations. I love my Microspikes for deep ice, but they don't work on a thin layer of sheet ice, which is what the UK usually gets.

I don't understand how walking poles help though? Surely, they can't save you if you slip on sheet ice?

No I was thinking that as well. Surely the poles would slip and slide as well or you'd be doing some sort of comedy thing where the poles were gripping but your feet were sliding all over the place

MistletoeandBaileys · 14/12/2022 11:49

Oh I hate the ice!!! I avoid it at all costs. Landed on my husbands car the other day because the ground was so slippy when I walked by in our drive! During the “big freeze” of 2010 the news was discussing the bad weather conditions and a poor man got absolutely lamped! His head got some bang off the ground.

I don’t know how to link from YouTube for the footage. But I’ll attach an image instead. If you want to look it up on YouTube just search “Man slips on ice RTÉ”.

Someone actually erected a plaque there to commemorate the event! And to this day no one knows who the man is. It did emerge that he was completely fine afterwards. But it is like a legend now.

One day we will be gathered around the fire with cold weather outside regaling our grandchildren about the man who slipped on ice on the telly in 2010.

To be terrified of the ice?
SinnerBoy · 14/12/2022 11:51

MistletoeandBaileys

One day we will be gathered around the fire with cold weather outside regaling our grandchildren about the man who slipped on ice on the telly in 2010.

Arff!

snowinthesticks · 14/12/2022 12:00

I thought it was just me!
I do have osteoporosis so in theory it could be worse if I fell but I felt embarrassed at not daring to walk up the road.

PenvelopewithaP · 14/12/2022 12:05

I am the same, OP. I absolutely hate ice. I almost went flying at the weekend on black ice that I didn’t see at all. I have had a lot of operations on my leg, which makes me incredibly wary of falling. In icy weather, I waddle along like I’ve shat myself, clinging to walls and railings as I go, while my husband and children look on in total bemusement. I watch as joggers and the elderly saunter past. How??
I think I need to invest in some Yak Traks.

OoooohMatron · 14/12/2022 12:10

YANBU. I nearly went arse over tit about 5 times yesterday walking across a car park and then I had the climb some steps and it was like the scene from Home Alone!

KnottyKnitting · 14/12/2022 12:26

Yep me too! The last place you want to end up at the moment is A&E!

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