Ice Safety Rules 1. Before stepping onto the ice, check its strength. The ice should be at least 10 cm thick. 2. Do not go onto the ice alone. It is better to be in a group. 3. Avoid skating on ice in areas with currents or underwater obstacles. 4. Pay close attention to the condition of the ice. If it starts to crack or shows signs of weakness, return immediately. 5. Do not use the ice for ball games or other activities that may lead to injuries. 6. In case of an emergency, call for help immed

Every year, thin ice causes fatalities. Often among the victims are children who play near water bodies without parental supervision, and fishermen who venture onto unstable ice. To avoid becoming a victim of seasonal danger, it is essential to follow important safety rules.

What you need to know:

• ice with a thickness of at least 7 cm is considered safe for humans;
• at temperatures above 0 ºC for more than three days, the strength of the ice decreases by 25%;
• ice is weakened at the mouths and tributaries of rivers, in areas of fast currents, spring water, drainage areas, and regions with aquatic vegetation, trees, shrubs, and reeds;
• the strength of the ice can be visually assessed: blue ice is strong, white ice is half as strong, gray, matte white, or yellowish ice is unreliable.

What to do if you fall into the water:

• do not panic, do not make sudden movements, stabilize your breathing;
• spread your arms to the sides and try to grab the edge of the ice, positioning your body horizontally in the direction of the current;
• carefully try to lie on your stomach on the edge of the ice and throw one leg, then the other, onto the ice;
• if the ice holds, roll over and slowly crawl to the shore;
• crawl back in the direction you came from, as the ice there has already been tested for strength.

IMPORTANT REQUEST TO PARENTS: do not let children onto the ice without supervision!