Do Not Walk On Frozen Bodies Of Water, Local Police Say

PHILADELPHIA — Philadelphia and Lower Merion Township police are warning the public about walking on frozen rivers and other bodies of water in the area.

Philadelohia Police said they received reports of people walking and skating on the frozen rivers among the recent frigid temperatures.

"This is illegal for a reason," Philadelphia Police said. "River ice is not as thick as it looks - moving water underneath weakens it and conditions can change fast."

Lower Merion Township Police echoed the sentiment.

"Walking on a frozen river, or any body of water, is dangerous because moving currents and fluctuating water levels create unpredictable, uneven ice thicknesses that can easily break," Lower Merion Police said "The freezing water causes immediate cold-water shock, rapid hypothermia, and potential drowning within minutes. Ice strength is impossible to gauge safely, making it a fatal risk."

Police in Lower Merion are urging people not to walk, skate, or play on frozen ponds, lakes, and streams, calling it extremely dangerous.

The public should stay off all frozen bodies of water, keep children and pets away from ice-covered ponds and creeks, and never assume ice is safe, even after several cold days

If you see someone fall through the ice, call 911 immediately and do not attempt a rescue yourself, Lower Merion Police said.