Stay Off the Ice: Plainfield Fire Dept. Urges Caution as Cold Weather Hits

Submitted by the Plainfield Fire Protection District:

Neighborhood ponds and area waterways are beginning to ice over and the Plainfield Fire Protection District is asking everyone to please stay off the ice.

Please teach children that there is no such thing as 100 percent safe ice and many factors determine the strength of ice including its age, thickness, the temperature, snow cover, the water depth, the size of the body of water, water currents and water chemistry. Ice that is over a moving body of water such as a river should always be considered weak and unsafe.

While enjoying outdoor winter activities like ice fishing or ice skating, only go on ice in approved areas where the ice has been checked by someone trained to judge ice conditions.

If someone does fall 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 — if the ice did not support them, it won’t support you either.

If possible, while waiting for rescue personnel to arrive, throw things towards the person to help them stay afloat such as a life jacket or empty water jug. You could also throw them a rope or similar device to attempt to pull them to shore. Tell them that help is on the way and if they do get out of the water take measures to keep them warm 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 information, call the Plainfield Fire Protection District at (815) 436-5335, ext. 7314.