Caution – icicles!

In Vitebsk, a woman died after a block of snow and ice fell on her, the press service of the Investigative Committee of Belarus reported on Monday. According to preliminary data, this afternoon, a block of snow and ice fell from the roof of a building onto a 39-year-old resident of Vitebsk on Charnyakhouski Avenue. The woman died from her injuries, the message on the Telegram channel of the Investigative Committee states. The Ministry of Emergency Situations reminds citizens of safety rules during the melting of icicles and snow.

In winter and spring, a large amount of snow can accumulate on the roofs of buildings, and icicles can also form, reaching significant sizes. Roofs and cornices adorned with "garlands" of ice icicles are particularly dangerous at this time. Hanging from roofs, they pose a threat to the health and lives of people.

The fall of a "sharp-nosed" ice piece on a person can lead, at best, to injuries of varying severity. It all depends on the height of the fall and the size of the icicle. There are known cases where this dangerous "decoration" has killed passersby. Every year, falling icicles claim the lives of dozens of people. It only seems that icicles are firmly "attached" to the roofs. In reality, they are ready to fall at any moment. A slight thaw, wind, and ice pieces are eager to fall on pedestrians' heads.

To avoid accidents due to falling icicles, it is necessary to be attentive and try not to move close to the walls of buildings or under balconies. It is advisable to avoid places where icicles or snow slabs may fall from the roof.

Being in a danger zone, a person can suffer very serious and dangerous injuries from falling snow and icicles and even die.

To avoid finding yourself in such a situation, you should:
- not approach the roofs of buildings from which snow may slide down, and not allow children to be in such places;
- warn children about the danger. Playing under a dangerous roof can end sadly;
- if there is a fence or warning signs (placards) indicating a dangerous area, do not attempt to pass beyond the fence; go around the dangerous area by another route;
- after snow or ice (icicles) have fallen from the edge of the roof, snow and ice may also slide down from other parts of the roof, so if there are traces of previously fallen snow or ice shards visible on the sidewalk, this indicates the danger of this area;
- if while walking on the sidewalk you hear suspicious noise from above, do not stop, raise your head, and look at what happened. It may be the sliding of snow or an ice block. Running away from the building is also not advisable; you should press against the wall as quickly as possible, as the roof overhang will serve as shelter;
- if a person has been injured due to falling icicles or snow from the roof, call for an ambulance.

Be attentive and careful when near buildings!