Macomb Sheriff Issues Ice Safety Tips

(Macomb County) --- Remember – “No Ice is safe” says Macomb County Sheriff Mark A. Hackel.

Dressing in layers of protective clothing provides maximum protection from the cold. Insulated boots and hats that pull down to cover the face help prevent frostbite and loss of body heat, the main cause of life-threatening hypothermia.

Safety items that should be within your reach include picks or nails that can be used to pull yourself onto safe ice should you fall in. A good compass will help you find your way back in fog or a snow squall, while ice creepers which strap on over boots give you an edge on slick ice and help when pulling yourself out of a hole.

Other safety equipment many ice-bound anglers consider essential includes a:
     • cell phone
     • compass
     • rope
     • flashlight
     • flares
     • chemical hand and foot warmers
     • compact portable butane heaters
     • survival blanket
     • sunglasses or goggles to prevent snow blindness
 

Remember No Ice is Safe

Experienced ice fishermen will advise:
• Treat any ice as if it’s unsafe. Be especially wary if no other anglers are present. Use a spud or auger to check thickness before crossing unfamiliar ice, especially around points where currents can cause weak spots. Check conditions at local bait shops and bring or wear a personal floatation device.

• Always follow safe paths used by others. Watch for old, frozen-over fishing holes that might be unsafe. Be careful when ice has a heavy snow or slush cover. It can cause or indicate dangerous conditions.

• Pay attention to weather changes. White-out-causing storms, winds that cause pressure cracks that create ice floes and late-winter fog strand anglers on ice every winter.

• Don’t bunch up. Spread out to distribute weight. If ice starts to crack, lie down and crawl to the thickest ice or in the direction you came.

• If you fall in, call for help. Turn toward the direction you came and after finding safe ice, kick, use nails, picks or ice creepers to pull yourself out. Then roll away to safety and seek help to prevent hypothermia. To help someone else, toss a rope or use a pole or ladder to pull them to safety.

• Every season, snowmobiles and autos fall through "safe" ice. Don’t drive cars onto the ice.