Ice safety awareness urged

CONCORD — New Hampshire Fish and Game Department conservation officers are reminding outdoor enthusiasts to exercise caution when enjoying winter activities on or near the ice.

“It is imperative that you personally check the ice thickness on a waterbody as you venture out on foot or before riding out on a snowmobile or Off-Highway Recreational Vehicle,” said Captain Dave Walsh, who coordinates OHRV enforcement and safety education for the department. “Do not assume that just because the ice is safe in one location that it will be safe 100 yards farther away. If you don’t know, don’t go.”

Walsh adds that you should also be sure to bring along a rescue rope, ice picks, and a personal flotation device such as a float coat or conventional life preserver.

Because ice conditions can be unpredictable and lack uniformity, it is not advisable to drive vehicles onto the ice.  Those on foot should carefully assess ice safety before venturing out by using an ice chisel or auger to determine ice thickness and condition. Continue to do this as you get further out on to the ice, because the thickness of the ice will not be uniform all over the waterbody.  To see a short video of how to check ice thickness, visit  www.wildnh.com/outdoor-recreation/ice-safety.html.

Though all ice is potentially dangerous, the U.S. Army Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory in Hanover said a “rule of thumb” on ice thickness is: There should be a minimum of 6 inches of hard ice before individual foot travel, and 8 to 10 inches of hard ice for snow machine or all-terrain vehicle travel.

Keep in mind that thick ice does not always mean safe ice.   It is possible for ice to be thick, but not strong, because of varying weather conditions. Weak ice is formed when warming trends break down ice, then the slushy surface re-freezes. Be especially careful of areas with current, such as inlets, outlets, and spring holes, where the ice can be dangerously thin.