Poles, canes, etc. do not work for me now. I need an arm and a cane. And then in the winter especially I have to be very careful as you can slip and slide (your cane) even if it has an ice claw (whatever) on the end. It still can slide if not set down straight in the ice. And then my feet could slip anyway and away I'd go. An ice claw (tip) on the end of a cane can slip when you go into a store as it does not grip the floor so you have to put it up and then be certain that the rubber tip of your cane is dry. The wet spots on the floor of a store can also cause a "normal" person to go slipping and sliding.

Also, in whatever weather be it winter or summer, if it is wet on the floor of a store your rubber tip can slip. People on crutches with a rubber tip can slip as well. People I've encountered can hardly believe it but if they think about it - yes it can and does happen. One has to be careful no matter.