As frigid temperatures set in, many people are eager to enjoy winter activities on the ice.
Alex Weiss from the U.S. Coast Guard tells us that everyone needs to exercise caution and follow some important tips before heading outdoors.
“Make sure that you’re not out there by yourself,” Weiss says. Again, how long has the ice been there? Is there other people, is there other activities going out on the ice? And then, you know, looking at just the overall condition of the weather that has been happening lately.
If you plan to go ice fishing, Katie Gervasi from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources recommends using a buddy system and wearing buoyant clothing for added safety.
“We also recommend that people carry ice picks,” Gervasi says. “Clip those onto your chest so that if you do break through the ice, they’re in an easy to reach location.”
Always keep in mind that no ice is guaranteed to be safe, so be sure to check the conditions yourself before venturing out.
