The
only safe ice is found at a skating rink. It's impossible to declare when
ice is safe - there are too many factors to consider. Ice strength is
determined by a number of factors; its appearance, the number of cold days in a
row, its thickness, snow cover, daily temperature, water current, natural
springs, and submerged objects.
Ice Safety
Always consider ice covered waterways unsafe.
The thinnest ice is most often in the center of
the water body.
Never go out on the ice alone. Have your
partner walk a good distance away from you. If you fall through,
your partner can call 9-1-1.
Never drive on the ice. This includes
motor vehicles, ATVs and snow mobiles.
Slush on a water body is dangerous. Slush
indicates the ice is no longer freezing from the bottom.
What should
I do if I fall through the ice?
Stay calm. Have your partner call 9-1-1.
Use ice claws if you have them to pull yourself
out of the water. (Ice claws are two ice picks or screwdrivers
attached with a cord.)
Try to swim onto the ice using your hands and/or
ice claws and kicking your feet. If the ice breaks, keep
trying. Remember, the thinnest ice is in the center of the water
body.
Once on the ice do not stand up. Instead
try to distribute your weight over a large area by sliding or rolling to
shore. Follow the same route you took before you fell in. Your
original route was safe until you fell in.
What if my
pet falls though the ice?
Stay calm. Call 9-1-1.
Do not go out on the ice to save your pet.
If your pet fell through the ice, you will too. Save your pet by
staying on the shore and calling 9-1-1.
What if I
see someone fall through the ice?
Stay calm. Call 9-1-1.
Tell the person who fell through that you have
called for help.
Do not attempt to save the person, unless you
are professionally trained and have a rescue team with you. If they
fell though the ice, you will too.
