Winter Safety Tips

Fun is at our core in the Ninovan community, even in the winter.  With Ice skating, hockey, sledding, and ice fishing to name few, there is always lots to do! While fun is at our core, we'd like to remind residents and their guests to make their wintry experience a safe one.  If you'll be on the ice, make sure it is safe.

Ice Thickness Safety Guidelines:
  • Under 4 inches - Stay off the ice!
  • 4 inches - Ice fishing or other activities on foot.
  • 5-7 inches - Snowmobile or ATV
  • 8-12 inches - Car or small pickup
  • 12-15 inches - Medium truck.
What should you do if ice begins to crack beneath you?
  1. Do not run.
  2. Lie on your stomach and spread your arms and legs (like an airplane).
  3. Stretch your arms over your head and bring them together.
  4. Roll away from the crack. Do not bend your knees or elbows.
What should you do if a companion falls through thin ice?
  1. Keep calm and think out a solution.
  2. Don't run up to the hole. You'll probably break through and then there will be two victims.
  3. Use some item on shore to throw or extend to the victim to pull them out of the water such as jumper cables or skis, or push a boat ahead of you.
  4. If you can't rescue the victim immediately, call 911. It's amazing how many people carry cellphones.
  5. Get medical assistance for the victim. People who are subjected to cold water immersion but seem fine after being rescued can suffer a potentially fatal condition called "after drop" that may occur when cold blood that is pooled in the body's extremities starts to circulate again as the victim starts to re-warm.
What if YOU fall in?
Try not to panic. Instead, remain calm and turn toward the direction you came from. Place your hands and arms on the unbroken surface of the ice (here's where ice picks would come in handy.) Work forward on the ice by kicking your feet. If the ice breaks, maintain your position and slide forward again. Once you are laying on the ice, don't stand. Instead, roll away from the hole. That spreads out your weight until you are on solid ice. This sounds much easier than it is to do in reality.