Oakland County Sheriff’s Office offers safety tips when considering going out on the ice:
? Survey the ice. Signs of thin, unsafe ice include moving water near a stream, river, unseen spring or inlet, slushy areas, depressions in the snow, heavy snow, milky or black colored ice, and frozen slush ice weakened by the freeze-thaw cycles.
? If you hear the ice crack or detect unsafe ice, stay spread out, immediately lie down to distribute your weight, and crawl back to safer ice by the same way you came;
? If someone falls through the ice, do not run to the hole. Call 911 and get help, then use a pole, branch, rope, or other object to reach the victim from a safe position;
? If you fall through the ice, do not panic. Call out for help and kick your feet while getting your hands and then arms up onto safer ice. Continue to crawl up onto the ice far enough to get to safer ice;
? If your pet ventures out onto the ice, resist the urge to go out after it. Stay on shore and call it back to safety.
? Do not go out alone on the ice. Always take a partner or someone who can call 911or go for help in an emergency.
? Do not make the first tracks on the ice. Check with someone who has experience with a particular lake or pond before you venture out on the ice.
? Always leave a travel plan with someone who can call for help and direct a search party if you do not return.
? Plan ahead by dressing appropriately for changing weather conditions. Dress in layers to protect all exposed parts of your body. Consider wearing a personal flotation device (PFD) as part of your overall protective clothing or a flotation jacket or suit. Ice creepers attached to boots will help to keep you stable on the ice and can assist in self-rescue.
? Bring safety items which may include: cell phone, whistle, rope, ice pick or awls, screwdriver, hand flares, flashlight, throwable PFD. Plan ahead for a rescue.
? Check and double check the ice thickness with an ice spud, auger or cordless drill. If you discover a weak spot, retrace your route off the ice. Keep a distance between others in your group.
? Snowmobiles, ORV’s and vehicles on the ice increase your risk of falling through, especially at night. Many accidents occur when operators are driving at a high rate of speed (over driving) and are unable to slow or stop in time to avoid open water or unsafe ice.
? Wildlife that ventures onto unsafe ice is a natural occurrence. Wildlife such as deer are strong swimmers prepared for cold weather and find their own way off the ice. Most often, wildlife discovered in the water are injured and succumb to injuries from predators or natural forces.
For more information, call 248-391-0256 or check www.oaklandsheriff.com.