Safety Guidelines for Behavior on Ice During the Winter Season

Reminder
on Safe Behavior on Ice During the Winter Period

Rules for Behavior on Water Bodies in Winter

1. When the first ice cover appears on water bodies, skating, skiing, and crossing are prohibited. Thin ice is fragile and cannot support the weight of a person.

2. Crossing the ice should be done via equipped crossings, but if they are unavailable, you must first ensure the ice's strength before moving on it. The ice's strength should be checked with an ice pick. If, after the first strike, the ice cracks and water appears, immediately stop and return along your steps. The first steps on the way back should be taken without lifting the soles of your shoes from the ice. It is strictly forbidden to test the ice’s strength by kicking it with your foot.

3. In all cases, before stepping from the shore onto the ice, carefully survey the area, plan your route, and choose safe places. It is best to walk along a marked trail. It is dangerous to go onto the ice during a thaw. Avoid going onto unfamiliar ice areas, especially from cliffs.

4. When moving on the ice, be cautious and watch the ice surface closely, avoiding dangerous or suspicious areas. Be wary of areas covered by thick snow—under the snow, the ice is always thinner than in open areas. Extra caution is needed in places with fast currents, near bushes, reeds, grass, where streams flow into water bodies, near springs, or where warm wastewater from industrial plants enters the water. It is safest to cross on transparent ice with a greenish tint that is at least 7 cm thick.

5. When crossing in groups, maintain a distance of 5-6 meters from each other, keeping a close eye on the person ahead. When transporting small but heavy loads, they should be placed on sleds or beams with a large surface area for support.

6. Skating is only allowed on specially equipped ice rinks. If the rink is set up on a water body, skating is permitted only after a thorough check of the ice's strength (the ice thickness must be at least 10-12 cm). Mass skating is allowed when the ice is at least 25 cm thick. It is dangerous to walk or skate on ice at night, especially in unfamiliar places.

7. When crossing a water body on skis, it is recommended to use a pre-made ski track. If traveling across untrodden snow, for safety, ski bindings should be undone so that skis can be quickly removed if necessary. Ski poles should be held in the hands, wrist loops removed, and the backpack worn on one shoulder. Maintain a distance of 5-6 meters between skiers. The first skier should check the ice’s strength by tapping their poles on the ice and monitor the ice's condition.

8. When ice fishing, it is not recommended to drill too many holes in a small area, jump or run on the ice, or gather in large groups. Every fisherman should carry a rope 12-15 meters long, with a weight of 400-500 grams on one end and a loop on the other.

9. In case of falling through the ice, act quickly and decisively—spread your arms wide to stay on the surface, and without sudden movements, try to crawl back onto solid ice. Once on your stomach or back, move sideways towards the direction you came from, while calling for help.

Dear parents!
Do not allow children to be unsupervised or play near water bodies.
Explain to them the deadly dangers of neglecting these recommendations.