DNR issues ice danger warning for parents (2005-11-22)

DNR issues ice danger warning for parents (2005-11-22)
Ice is beginning to form over some of the smaller ponds in the Minnesota
and it worries state water safety officials.

"With the Thanksgiving holiday coming up, parents need to strongly warn
their children to stay off any frozen bodies of water, especially when
there is no adult present," said Tim Smalley, Department of Natural
Resources (DNR) water safety specialist. "There is a saying among water
safety professionals that 'when your child is near the water, you should
be near your child.' That saying holds just as true for ice."

The DNR recommends a minimum of four inches of new clear ice for walking
and small group activities on the ice. "There is no way that any ice in
Minnesota is near being walkable at this point," Smalley said. "With the
unusual fall weather we have had, it's hard to predict when folks can go
out without taking a risk."

The DNR recommends people call a local bait shop or resort to check on
conditions before heading out on the ice.

Over the last 10 years, 62 people died in Minnesota ice related
accidents, 12 of the victims were children age eight or younger. The
highest number of fatal ice accidents on record occurred during the
winter of 1982-83 when 22 people died.

The DNR has free ice safety publications including brochures titled
"Danger Thin Ice" and "Hypothermia the Cold Facts,' a wallet-size card
listing recommended ice thicknesses, a 12-inch by 18-inch poster that
graphically illustrates recommended ice thicknesses and plans to make a
set of ice self-rescue picks.

To get this information, call the DNR at (651) 296-6157 or toll free
1-888-MINNDNR (646-6367). People can also order information from the DNR
at info@dnr.state.mn.us by requesting the ice safety information packet.