(Photo By Flickr User Partha Chowdhury)

 

“If you skate upon thin ice, you’ll be wise if you thought twice; that’s before you make a single move!”

You should always take extreme caution when venturing onto ice; falling through can cause hypothermia and drowning.

According to learningcenter.statefarm.com, there are a few general ice safety tips to help protect you and your family this Winter:

 

Test the Ice

Always test the thickness of the ice first.

-Ice needs to be at least 4 inches thick for safety on foot.

-How to test: Use a chisel or auger to make a hole, and measure the thickness with a tape measure.

-How often to test: Test the ice every 150 feet, as ice rarely freezes uniformly, and never assume a winter’s worth of ice is safe; new ice is stronger than old ice.

-Look for clear ice. Clear ice is twice as strong as snow-covered or white ice. When testing the latter, it should be twice as thick.

On the Ice

Don’t forget these safety considerations.

-Dress appropriately. Wear shoes or boots with plenty of traction and layer up with water-resistant clothing

-Use the buddy system. Never go onto the ice alone, and always stay 10 feet from your partner when moving on the ice. That way, if one person falls in, the other is able to help.

If You Fall Through the Ice

Know what to do in this worst-case scenario.

-Remember to bring safety tools. Before you head out on the ice, make sure you have ice picks to help you climb out of the water and a whistle to call for help.

-Don’t panic. You’ll lose energy fast, so make slow and intentional movements toward the place you fell in.

-Avoid standing up right away. Travel away from the hole on your stomach or side; keeping your body weight evenly distributed across the ice to help prevent further cracks

 

Hopefully, these few ice tips will keep you safe for many Winters to come!

Have a safe & blessed rest of your Winter and always remember, safety first!