In this especially cold Southeastern winter, we’d like to remind everyone to stay off of frozen ponds and lakes. Sadly, during this week’s weather events one of the few fatalities was a 13-year-old boy in Calhoun who drowned after falling through the ice on a private pond.
It takes almost half a foot of clear, solid ice to support an average adult’s weight. Here in the Southeast we simply do not have the sustained periods of very cold temperatures (even during this year’s Polar Vortex season) required for ice of that thickness to form. What appears to be a “frozen” pond here is just experiencing a surface freeze, which will likely not even hold up for long under the weight of child. Children should be warned never to play on or walk across a frozen water body, and pets should be leashed or supervised around this potential hazard. If a pet does take a plunge, call your local fire department for help rather than risking a rescue attempt yourself. Stay safe – admire your icy lake from a distance and do your ice skating in a rink!
