Oxford is situated in a county riddled with lakes, rivers, swamps and streams. A mecca for outdoor winter activities. Yet in many cases, under the feet of the anxious winter-warrior lies thin ice.
Oxford Fire Chief Jack LeRoy said now is not the time to test that new snow mobile, ice shanty, or even the hockey skates.
‘Don’t do it,? LeRoy said. ‘It hasn’t been that cold yet and the ice is just not solid enough.?
‘I’ve already seen people pulling ice shanties onto Stony Lake and that is too much weight in one area.?
In an area teaming with water masses of various sizes, shapes, types and depths, LeRoy said residents should know the body of water they are on.
In both man-made and natural lakes, the depth and water source greatly affect the safety conditions of the ice.
‘Many of the area lakes are spring-fed, which delays freezing because of the underlying water movement,? said LeRoy, adding that narrow areas where shorelines project into the lake have faster currents that also prohibit freezing.
Deputy John Graham, of the Oakland County Sheriff Department Marine Division, warns residents not to trust ‘any? ice because there are too many variables.
‘I don’t trust any ice because there are too many different kinds,? he said adding that dark, clear, solid ice is safer than milky, pitted ice that looks like a sponge.
However, if residents insist on engaging in ice-related activity, Grahm said to do so only when the ice is more than five inches thick. Then it’s considered acceptable for general activity such as ice skating, hockey or fishing.
Meteorologist Steven Freitag of the National Weather Service said said it may take several days and nights of severe arctic temperatures to create ice thick and safe enough for activity.
Tragically, officials said incidents of people or vehicles falling through the ice happen at least twice a year on Oakland County lakes.
Chief LeRoy said while avoiding the ice is the best way to prevent falling through, if residents intend to go on the lakes they should always test the ice’s thickness first. Using an auger or awl to bore completely through the ice is the best way to measure the depth, according to LeRoy.
LeRoy offered other safety tips that could save a life.
n Never risk your own life to rescue an animal trapped on the ice. If you are on shore, attempt to pass a board or rope to the animal and call for help.
n Never go on the ice alone and never at night.
n Carry a flotation devise such as an empty milk gallon container or life preserver.
n Do not consume alcohol while on the ice because it thins the blood which increases hypothermic risk.
n Should you break through the ice, do not struggle.
n Spread limbs out to allow the trapped air in clothing to act as insulation.
n Keep arms up on the ice.
n Carry screw-driver or ice-awl to use as a pick on the ice’s edge to hold yourself out of the water until help arrives.
n Should you be with someone who has fallen through, the chief said for your own safety, lay down on the ice surface and spread out to distribute weight more evenly.
n Call 9-1-1 or yell for help.
n Attempt to rescue if you have a rope or board, aiding the victim to stay above the ice. Then wait for help to arrive.
n If you must leave a victim, mark the spot with a piece of clothing or other object, or spot a shoreline marker to assist rescuers in finding the exact location.
Finally, never drive a vehicle onto the ice, no matter how long the ice has been frozen. According to LeRoy, not only is it too dangerous to drive on the ice, but insurance companies will not cover them should they go through.