By Chief Steven J. Wojnar
Dudley Police Department With the varying temperatures this winter, we are in a very dangerous time involving ice on local waters. A frequent question we as police receive during the winter is, “Is the ice safe?” People want to use the ponds for activities such as skating, ice fishing, hockey, or other uses. Most ponds are melting rapidly so this is a major concern. I wanted to take a moment to remind people to exercise proper precautions when using the ice. Certainly, the police will not declare any ice “safe” unless it is a controlled rink or another known location. Any time water is moving below ice, there is the possibility of thin spots and dangerous areas. This is even more critical at this time of the year, when varying weather conditions are involved. The warmer weather can cause thawing and re-freezing. The ice can be thinner in some spots. It may appear to be thick; however, there is no true way to be certain. It is especially important to exercise caution if you make the decision to venture out. Please avoid areas near open water or any places where you can see under the ice. You should stay near shore or in places where the water is not deep. This will allow you to make it back to shore easier and allow you to stand in the event you should fall through. Whenever children are involved, ice should always be checked by an adult. Children should always have supervision before using these areas. It is also critical to avoid using recreational vehicles of any kind. In addition to environmental concerns and risk of crashes, the mere weight of these vehicles contributes to the possibility of accidents. Finally, try to keep pets off the ice during these times. They may have a tendency to fall through and other complications can arise when people attempt to “rescue” them. |
It is important to use your best judgment when using the ice, especially at these times of changing weather. We have experienced some tragedies in the past and hope to avoid future events at all possible cost. Please exercise the necessary precautions and be safe.
Thanks again for your questions and comments. Please send them to me at the Dudley Police Department, 71 West Main St., Dudley, MA 01571 or email at swojnar@dudleypolice. com. Opinions expressed in this weekly column are those of Chief Wojnar only and unless clearly noted, do not reflect the ideas or opinions of any other organization or citizen |
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