Canton Ice Not Safe To Skate On Yet: Fire Department

CANTON, MA — Fire Chief Charles Doody on Tuesday warned residents that ice in town is not yet safe to skate on, following several reported ice rescues in the state on Monday.

Though temperatures have been on the colder side recently, Canton officials warn that at this time, it has not been cold enough for long enough to make it safe to walk, skate or fish on the ice in Canton. As a policy, the Canton Fire Department does not certify whether any bodies of water are safe to use for recreational purposes. Even when it has been cold enough for ponds to safely freeze, the fire department said people are going out at their own risk.

"Those who do choose to go out on ice, like on Reservoir Pond, should stay away from all ice in the area of open water, flowing water or where the ice looks slushy or thin," Doody said in a press release.

Doody offered the following general ice safety guidelines:

• Never go onto ice alone. A friend may be able to rescue you or go for help if you fall through the ice.
• Always keep your pets on a leash. If a pet falls through the ice, do not attempt a rescue. Call 911 instead.
• New ice is usually stronger than old ice. As the ice ages, the bond between the crystals decay, making it weaker, even if melting has not occurred.
• Beware of ice covered with snow. Snow can insulate ice and keep it strong, but can also insulate it to keep it from freezing.
• Slush is a danger sign, indicating that ice is no longer freezing from the bottom and can be weak or deteriorating.
• Ice formed over flowing water (rivers or lakes containing a large number of springs) is generally weaker than pond ice.
• Ice seldom freezes or thaws at a uniform rate. It can be one foot thick in one spot and be only one inch thick 10 feet away.

If someone does happen to fall through the ice, the Canton fire department wants to make sure people know what to do, so they offered the following advice:

• Reach-Throw-Go: If someone falls through the ice and you are unable to reach that person from shore, try to throw them something (rope, jumper cables, tree branch, etc.) If this does not work, call 911 and get away from the ice before you also become a victim. Get medical assistance for the victim immediately.
• If you fall in, try not to panic. Turn toward the direction you came from. Place your hands and arms on the unbroken surface, working forward by kicking your feet. Once out, remain lying on the ice (do not stand) and roll away from the hole. Crawl back to your tracks, keeping your weight distributed until you return to solid ice.

Photo by David Allen/Patch