As we enter the new year, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is looking to keep residents safe when they hit the ice.
Despite temperatures continuing to cool, the DNR is reminding outdoor recreators that no ice is ever 100% safe, and that they should always double-check ice conditions before heading out, whether it be for ice fishing, snowmobiling, or for any other reason.
Fluctuating temperatures and variable snow cover seen in the early season, along with underwater currents and springs, which can cause ice thickness to vary greatly across the same body of water, make travel on ice quite dangerous.
Ways to stay safe once you’re on the ice are to let someone know where you’re going, when you’re going, and when you plan on being back.
Additionally, carrying a personal floatation device and a set of ice picks with you could prove to be the difference in a life-or-death situation if you do fall through the ice.
If the ice supports it and traveling on a UTV, riders are recommended to travel with the windows down, the doors unlocked, and with their radio or speakers turned to a low volume.
These factors will make it easier to react quickly in the event your machine falls through the ice.
More tips on how to stay safe out on the ice can be found online by visiting dnr.wisconsin.gov.
