The thickness of the ice is constantly changing and varies across the entire body of water. Moving across the ice without the appropriate knowledge and safety equipment can end tragically!

How to Have a Safe Winter Holiday?

Children and young people very often choose to play on ice and snow in winter. Unfortunately, it happens that, when choosing outdoor activities, they step onto frozen bodies of water, unaware of the danger threatening them. Especially now, when the ice in many places is not even several centimetres thick, there is a risk that it will break and they will drown.

Police:

Let us remember that stepping onto a frozen body of water is always risky. The ice cover is constantly changing, including from day to day, and is never the same thickness across the entire body of water. Thoughtless, reckless enjoyment of winter can end tragically.

Police officers advise always checking where our children are playing. Let us make them aware of the danger involved in playing on frozen rivers and lakes. “Let us check whether, if necessary, they will be able to call for help. Let us teach them to anticipate and avoid situations that threaten life and health,” they add.

What to Do in an Emergency?

  • if the ice breaks, try to remain calm and try to call for help. It is best to lie flat on the water, spread your arms wide and try to crawl onto the ice. Move towards the shore while remaining lying on the ice at all times
  • when you notice someone drowning, do not run towards them! Remember that the ice beneath you may also break. You must not approach an opening in the ice while standing upright, because this increases the concentrated pressure on the ice, which may break beneath the rescuer. It is best to try to crawl towards the drowning person
  • if you have a long board or thick branch within reach, try to crawl to within throwing distance and attempt to give the other end to the person in danger
  • if you are unable to help the person yourself, immediately notify the nearest police or fire service unit about the accident
  • after pulling the injured person out of the water, cover them with something warm (a coat or jacket) and transport them to a heated room as quickly as possible; remember that you must not pour warm water over such a person, as this may cause thermal shock.