OFFICE OF EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS

ICE SAFETY TIPS
The following rules should be followed to insure ice safety:

• Never assume the ice is safe.
• The only safe ice is at a rink.
• Never skate on an untested lake or pond.
• The ice should have a minimum of at least [6] inches.
• Never skate alone.
  Only skate during the day or if an area is illuminated
• Know the body of water, nearby street, and where the nearest location is to go for help.
• Never use ice for a shortcut.
• Never go out onto the ice after an animal or toy.

ICE STRENGTH
With respect to the ice strength, a point of great importance to skaters and others is that you cannot tell the strength of the ice simply by its looks and thickness, the daily temperature, or whether or not the ice is covered with snow. The strength of ice is determined by several factors:

• Chemistry of the water [Salt or Fresh]. Salt water freezes more slowly than fresh water and is subject to movement by the tide. This movement, up and down and side to side, causes the salt water ice to become cracked and unstable.
• Local climatic factors such as wind, snow, rain, and temperature fluctuations that can vary considerably from day to day.
• The presence of currents such as at stream inflows / outflows, and along streams or rivers.
• The presence of springs and the size and depth of the lake or pond.
• The distribution of the weight or load placed on the ice.
• The signs of expansion cracks.

For immediate help – call 9-1-1

What to do if YOU fall through the ice:

• Try not to panic. Instead, remain calm and look towards the shore.
• Place your hands and arms on the unbroken surface of the ice (here's where the ice picks come in handy.)
• Work forward on the ice by kicking your feet, this will assist in keeping your body horizontal and help you "swim" out of the hole in the ice.
• If the ice breaks, maintain your position and slide forward again. If this does not work keep trying.
• Once you are lying on the ice, don't stand. Instead, roll away from the hole.

What to do when someone has fallen through the ice:

• Do not attempt to rescue the victim. If the ice could not support their weight, it will not support your weight.
• Try to calm and reassure the victim and have them stay afloat.
• Go to nearby location and call 9-1-1 for help. Also wait for emergency responders to bring them to the exact location of the victim.
• If with a responsible adult, have the adult return to try and assist the victim from shore.
• First, is to provide victim with something to help them stay afloat such as plastic milk or soda bottles, or a spare tire.
• If the victim is stable and afloat try to send something to reach and retrieve victim such as a rope, extension cord, ladder, branch, boat or tying clothes together.
• If victim is retrieved to shore, take steps to keep victim warm change clothes, wrap in blanket until rescue personnel arrive.
  

It takes at least 5 to 7 days of temperatures in the low 20’s before ice may become safe.

Ice safety points to consider include:

• New ice is usually stronger than old ice. As ice ages, the bond between the crystals decays making it more dangerous and weaker even if melting has not occurred.
• Wind speeds influence ice formation. Light winds speed up the formation. Strong winds force water from beneath the ice and can decay the edges of the ice.
• Snow can insulate ice and keep it strong. It can also insulate it to keep it from freezing. When ice is covered by snow, great precautions need to be taken to determine ice thickness before starting any activity. Snow can also hide cracked, weak and open water areas.
• Slush is a danger sign. It indicates that ice is no longer freezing from the bottom and indicates weak or deteriorated ice.
• Ice can change with the surrounding climate conditions. Temperature, precipitation (such as snow, sleet, rain), wind speed, ice age, water depth and water quality are all factors that affect ice strength and thickness.
• Never check ice or rescue a victim of ice failure alone, because you could go from rescuer to victim very quickly.
• Precautions need to be taken to assure the ice is safe for your winter recreational activities. Always check the ice before going out on it. Be aware that ice thickness and strength can vary from location to location. By following safety procedures you can bundle up, be safe and enjoy the many winter activities in our great outdoors.