Beware of Dangerous Ice Conditions: Palatine Fire Department

PALATINE, IL — While the recent temperature swings have many excitedly thinking about spring, the Palatine Fire Department is reminding residents of how melting ice can be "deceiving and dangerous."

Officials say these changing conditions make local ponds and lakes unsafe to stand on or walk over. The PFD has 15 certified rescue divers and a variety of specialty equipment for performing ice and water rescues. The department released the following safety precautions on Friday:

• Ice is never 100 percent safe.
• Ice seldom freezes or thaws at a uniform rate. It can be safe in one area and dangerously thin in another.
• Never go out on the ice alone.
• Never leave a child or pet unattended around icy bodies of water.
• Always keep your pets on a leash so they can’t venture onto the ice.
• If your pet falls through the ice, do not attempt to rescue it. Call 911 for help.

In addition, firefighters say if you fall through ice, try not to panic and place your hands and arms on the ice, while placing your body against the ice. Kick hard with your legs and try to pull yourself out of the water and onto the ice. From there, when you get onto the ice, lie down and try to roll away from the hole and crawl back towards the shore.

If someone else falls through the ice, PFD said the most important thing that can be done is call 911 immediately. Getting help to the scene early can be the difference between life and death.

"If you decide to take action, remember to 'Reach, Throw, and Go.' Try to Reach the person with a pole, ladder, tree branch, or another long object. You can try to Throw a rope, jumper cables, a life vest, or similar item at the person in the water and pull them to safety. The most dangerous thing you can do is to Go out onto the ice and try to make a rescue. The ice has already broken from the weight of the first person and will most likely break when you go out on it too," PFD said.