Plainfield Fire District: Stay Off Thin Ice, Stay Safe This Winter

Editor's note: The following is a release issued by the Plainfield Fire Protection District:

As neighborhood ponds and area waterways ice over, there is no guarantee that the ice is safe to be on. Contrary to what you may think, extreme cold snaps actually cause weak ice because it becomes brittle. Ice that is over a moving body of water such as a river or ponds with active aerators should always be considered weak and unsafe. 

Before participating in ice related outdoor sports such as ice fishing or ice skating, please keep the following safety tips in mind.

• Only go on ice in approved areas where the ice has been checked by someone trained to judge ice conditions. 
• There is no such thing as 100 percent safe ice and many factors determine the strength of ice including the age of the ice, its thickness, the temperature, snow cover, size of the body of water and water currents.  
• If someone falls through ice the best way to help them is to immediately call 9-1-1 so rescue personnel can be on their way. Do not go out on the ice after them or else you could fall through too. While waiting for rescue personnel to arrive throw a life jacket or empty water jug towards the person to help them stay afloat. You could also throw them a rope or similar device to attempt to pull them to shore. Have them tie the rope around themselves in case they become weakened by the cold and are unable to hold onto the rope. Reassure them that help is on the way and if they do get out of the water take immediate measures to keep them warm to help prevent hypothermia while waiting for rescue personnel to arrive.
• If you fall through the ice, don’t remove your coat or other protective clothing.  Face the direction you were coming from and put you arms out flat over the unbroken ice. While doing this kick your feet to try and move yourself forward back onto the ice surface. If you’re able to get out of the water and back onto the ice surface stay in a laying position and roll away from the broken ice back in the direction you came from. Laying flat will more evenly distribute your weight over the ice surface as opposed to standing up. This will hopefully prevent you from falling through the ice again. Once you get to safety you need to go to a warm area to prevent hypothermia.

For more detailed information about ice safety, visit the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources website at: www.dnr.state.mn.us/safety/ice.  For additional fire and life safety information please call Plainfield Fire Protection District Fire Inspector Mary Ludemann at (815) 436-5335 or visit www.plainfieldfpd.com.