Skating on Thin Ice

It bears repeating every winter: stay off of frozen lakes and ponds! 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 that are required for ice of that thickness to form. More likely, your “frozen” pond is just experiencing a surface freeze, which might not even hold up 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!