The water ponds become popular places for children and fishermen in winter and also serve as a natural crossing when heavy ice appears. In present time, there is unstable frosty weather in Ukraine, so the ice hasn’t gained the required thickness and it is dangerous to get on it.
In order to prevent the occurrence of tragic situations in the water sources of Ukraine, the specialists of the Rescue Service provide preventive measures with the population on a daily basis, explaining the consequences of neglecting the security measures at ice.
So, on January 13, the firefighters of the SESU carried out another raid near the water ponds of the city of Polonne in Khmelnytsk oblast in order to remind people about the dangers of being on the ice. During communication with fishermen and local citizens, the officers of the SESU noted that they should not forget: before stepping on the ice, you should make sure of its strength and reliability, take the things that can come in handy in case of danger. Moreover, the representatives of the Rescue Service drew the attention of fishermen to the risk of hypothermia and frostbite and told them how to provide the first aid in case of low-temperature effect on the human body. To commemorate the meeting, the rescuers handed out the informational and educational leaflets to everyone they had the opportunity to talk to.
At the same time, the rescuers of Volnovakha district together with the representatives of the National Police carried out the explanatory work with the population of Donetsk oblast in order to prevent accidents on the water. During the communication, they said that heavy ice is blue, and it is better to use a stick to check the strength of the ice. If the ice began to crack, you should immediately return to the shore, do not run, it is better to move slowly, without taking your feet off the ice. At the end of the event the citizens received the preventive leaflets.
The rescuers of Rubizhne Town of Luhansk oblast carried out similar preventive measures. They raided the shores of Lake Pisochne, where they talked to local fishermen. The SES officers told them how to spend their leisure time safely on a frozen pond and instructed in detail what to do when you were trapped in cold water: try to stay calm, gently rest your chest on the edge of the ice, throw one foot on it, then the other foot, and get out, roll over and crawl into the way you came from, and move slowly to shore. The rescuers handed out the thematic leaflets and once again urged citizens to refrain from winter hikes on the ponds, not to risk the lives.
Dear citizens, take into account some tips on the rules of conduct near and on water ponds at the beginning of winter, when the ice is still too thin.
Please, remember the following:
• you can go out on the ice only in stable frosty weather;
• it is forbidden to go out on ice, the thickness and strength of which are unknown to you;
• the water ponds should be crossed in specially marked and equipped places;
• it is forbidden to go down on skis from a steep bank on ice which has not been checked on durability and thickness;
• it is forbidden to gather in large groups on the ice in one place;
• do not go out on the ice: at the confluence of rivers; in the case of rapid river flow in this place; in the presence of boards, sticks and other objects frozen in ice; in the case of different colors of ice; during a strong difference in temperature and warming;
• do not drink alcohol near water ponds;
• take care of children's leisure time and explain to them the dangers of thin ice.
In case of an emergency do not hesitate to call the Rescue Service at 101!