Thin Ice

When is ice safe? There really is no sure answer. You can’t judge the strength of ice just by its appearance, age, thickness, temperature, or whether or not the ice is covered with snow. Strength is based on all these factors. In addition the depth of water under the ice, size of the water body, water chemistry and currents, distribution of load on the ice and local climate conditions all play a factor.

Fact Sheet:  Danger- Thin Ice!

Frostbite and Hypothermia

Frostbite is the freezing of skin and extremities on the body. The nose, cheeks, ears, fingers, and toes (your extremities) are the most commonly affected. Everyone is susceptible, even people who have been living in cold climates for most their lives.

In very cold weather, a person’s body can loose heat faster than they can produce it. The result is hypothermia, or abnormally low body temperature. It can make a person sleepy, confused and clumsy. Because it happens gradually and affects one’s thinking, it may not be immediately recognized.

Fact Sheet:  Frostbite and Hypothermia Awareness

Snow Shoveling