safety walking on snow, ice

khadija2
khadija2 Member Posts: 7
edited 3. Feb 2009, 10:59 in Living with Arthritis archive
Please could anyone give me some advice. If it's still covered in ice & snow tomorrow - I must go to my Pilates - to my gym. But I must not fall - bad osteoporosis, arthritis, balance poor. What's safest way to walk on icey pavement? Should I get out 1 crutch - use it like a walking stick? I can't let snow keep me indoors!!

Any practical advice, ideas welcome!

Regards,

Khadija. :)

Comments

  • ifeelninety
    ifeelninety Member Posts: 57
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    [Scatter salt if front of you as you walk , wear hill walking boots, take a stick,- personally nothing is worth breaking your neck in the snow for so I would advise a wee day in in front of the telly if it is as bad as they say it is going to be! :roll:
  • elnafinn
    elnafinn Member Posts: 7,412
    edited 1. Feb 2009, 17:39
    Hi Khadija, welcome to the site :D:D

    Do the penguin walk - point your feet out slightly and shuffle or do short steps, extend your arms for balance. Wear shoes or boots that provide traction on ice and snow, boots made of non slip rubber or neoprene with grooved soles are best .

    Better still, take a minicab. :D:lol:

    Good luck for tomorrow.

    Elna x
    The happiest people don't have the best of everything. They just make the best of everything.

    If you can lay down at night knowing in your heart that you made someone's day just a little bit better, you know you had a good day.
  • skezier
    skezier Member Posts: 11,333
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi to you both, I just wanted to say I second that ifeelninety. Stick rubber snow and ice may not be your best plan. The salt is if you really must go out. I hope they have got this one wrong, I don't know if it's just me but this north easterly is the worst for my bones! If you get snow and ice stay in if you can but if you do go be careful. Stay warm
  • khadija2
    khadija2 Member Posts: 7
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    skezier wrote:
    Hi to you both, I just wanted to say I second that ifeelninety. Stick rubber snow and ice may not be your best plan. The salt is if you really must go out. I hope they have got this one wrong, I don't know if it's just me but this north easterly is the worst for my bones! If you get snow and ice stay in if you can but if you do go be careful. Stay warm

    Thanks to you all. I just stepped outside - very snowy & very slippery - & falling hard & fast!! I hope they grit the pavement by the time I want to leave home tomorrow (11 am) or that it melts by then! ANd I'm in central London - should be the least snowbound!!
  • khadija2
    khadija2 Member Posts: 7
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    elnafinn wrote:
    Hi Khadija, welcome to the site :D:D

    Do the penguin walk - point your feet out slightly and shuffle or do short steps, extend your arms for balance. Wear shoes or boots that provide traction on ice and snow, boots made of non slip rubber or neoprene with grooved soles are best .

    Better still, take a minicab. :D:lol:

    Good luck for tomorrow.

    Elna x


    Thanks for the advice. Khadija
  • skezier
    skezier Member Posts: 11,333
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    khadija2 wrote:
    Wow Khadija they grit pavements?! We don't get snow, we just get frozen ground and tons of hail but we also get so much mud. I think the penguim walk is very good and maybe the mud walk is good on ice. I have no tread left on my boots so I really can slide about and now, as long as I remeber, I do smaller steps and go a bit slower and make sure the foot you moved forward is holding before you put your weight on it. I was going to say if they grits the road then you could walk on that but maybe best not in central London............. You just go careful and good luck and stay warm :)
  • Wonkylegs
    Wonkylegs Member Posts: 3,504
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    would only add this to all th above good suggestions -

    even if you have an appointment for a specific time (or start work at a certain time for example) don't be fooled into trying to rush.

    It will take as long as it takes to get from A to B.
    It doesn't matter if it takes you twice as long as anyone else - if you get there safely and without falling then you have won!
  • elnafinn
    elnafinn Member Posts: 7,412
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hello again :!:

    As you do not wish to miss any of your class when you have made such an effort to get there, leave yourself plenty of time.

    Look after yourself,

    Luv
    Elna x
    The happiest people don't have the best of everything. They just make the best of everything.

    If you can lay down at night knowing in your heart that you made someone's day just a little bit better, you know you had a good day.
  • nearlybionic
    nearlybionic Member Posts: 1,899
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi
    My best advice is only go out if you really need to. I am staying in with heating on and will exercise a la wii fit today. I`m not risking a slip or fall!! Its all white here and still snowing. Very pretty from the inside looking out, but lethal under foot!! The emergency services don`t need me to add to their problems today :shock:
    I`d check before you venture out that classes etc are still on even in central london!!
    Good luck all and keep warm :D
  • oneday
    oneday Member Posts: 1,434
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Parked at tescos this morning,car park not gritted!! put foot out of car felt slippy so decided to leave it. Went to library car park which was okay as the snow was crunchy not slippy, take no chances.....we all have problems to start off with and dont want to make matters any worst.
  • khadija2
    khadija2 Member Posts: 7
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    nearlybionic wrote:
    Hi
    My best advice is only go out if you really need to. I am staying in with heating on and will exercise a la wii fit today. I`m not risking a slip or fall!! Its all white here and still snowing. Very pretty from the inside looking out, but lethal under foot!! The emergency services don`t need me to add to their problems today :shock:
    I`d check before you venture out that classes etc are still on even in central london!!
    Good luck all and keep warm :D

    In the light of day & very heavy snowstorm I've stayed home as you with the heating on. But I've found some pretty good boots & will try with extreme care & a crutch for support to walk round my back (public space) garden! Then if I'm really brave may make it round the corner to buy some milk ( & then again I may stay looking out from my window!!) common sense will prevail :D
  • khadija2
    khadija2 Member Posts: 7
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    elnafinn wrote:
    Hello again :!:

    As you do not wish to miss any of your class when you have made such an effort to get there, leave yourself plenty of time.

    Look after yourself,

    Luv
    Elna x

    Thanks all - I am staying in & hope it will get safer to walk within the next 2 - 3 days - thou it could also get more icey & slippery.
    Keep safe & warm. Khadija
  • colinone
    colinone Member Posts: 1,039
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Best advice I can give providing you have food, Stay in put your feet up and watch the telly you can always go next week. If your that bad on your feet its not woth the chance. However if you could get someone to take you and bring you home in the car that would be good to. take no notice of the idea to throw salt in front of you it will take to long and could turn out quite expensive. How about laying on your back on the ice and get the local kids to push you, a leg each and off you go weeeeee you would be there in no time and no fear of falling because your laying down. Just trying to cheer you up LOL. you stay indoors and stay warm its not woth the risk unless you get someone to take you. Take care
    Colin
  • gemmapetken
    gemmapetken Member Posts: 263
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    too late for me!!! I fell over coming home from work. Three times in as many weeks!!
  • nearlybionic
    nearlybionic Member Posts: 1,899
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Oh Gemma!
    Hope you are ok. Take care if you are out and about tomorrow!!
    NB
  • skezier
    skezier Member Posts: 11,333
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Gemma I hope you didn't hurt too much and don't feel too stiff in the morn. Take care.

    Please no-one try the mud walk, it doesn't work
  • frisbee
    frisbee Member Posts: 3
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi, I'm a keen walker, in any conditions, and in snow and ice would always wear boots with a good grip and use two walking poles.
    Recently a fellow Rambler was using some easily fitted mini crampons (spikes that fit on the sole ), these seemed to be very effective,. No idea the cost, but I thought I'd mention them in answer to your question.
    frisbee

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