As winter continues in the greater St. Louis metropolitan region, officials with the city of St. Charles remind residents and visitors to take precautions this time of year, especially near area lakes and ponds.  “The key,” said St. Charles Fire Chief Ernie Rhodes, “is to remember ice on frozen ponds is always unsafe.  Although area lakes and ponds become tempting in terms of ice-skating and fishing this time of year, any activity on the ice can be extremely dangerous.”

Chief Rhodes relayed the following safety tips as a seasonal safety reminder:
1. If you find yourself on unsafe ice and you hear cracking, lie down immediately to try and distribute your weight.
2. If you witness someone falling through the ice, never attempt to make a rescue by yourself.
3. In all such cases, call 911 and notify the proper authorities.
4. When calling, be sure to give the exact location and an account of the incident.

Rhodes indicated that determining the strength of ice is difficult at best, especially for an untrained individual.  According to Rhodes, ice must be at least six inches thick before it can maintain the weight of a person.  Likewise, the temperature must be well below freezing for several weeks to achieve this degree of thickness.  “It is also important to keep in mind that the depth of the water, the size of the water body, the water’s chemistry, the distribution of weight on the ice, and local climatic factors all affect ice strength.”

Chief Rhodes also underscored the importance of the phrase “Reach-Throw-Go.”  If you are unable to reach your friend from shore, throw him or her a rope, jumper cables, tree branch, or other nearby object.  If this does not work, go for help before you become a victim yourself.  “It is also imperative to seek immediate medical assistance for any victims,” he said.

When walking near ice, it’s also important to keep your pets on a leash.  “If a pet falls through the ice,” Rhodes concluded, “do not attempt to rescue the pet, instead go for help.  All too often, well intentioned pet owners easily become victims themselves when trying to assist their pets.”