Over the past four days, the Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office has responded to numerous traffic-related incidents due to the inclement weather.  This includes 112 traffic accidents and 320 traffic hazards within unincorporated Snohomish County.  As the weather begins to warm up, the Sheriff’s Office Marine Services Unit is asking local media partners to help get the word out on another safety issue. 

The cold weather has left several area retention ponds and lakes frozen.  As the weather warms up, those layers of ice will diminish.  That leaves a potentially hazardous situation for anyone who may choose to walk on or play on the ice.  
The Sheriff’s Office would like to remind people of the following safety tips:

• Never go out on a frozen lake, retention pond, or other waters.  Don’t play on the ice along the shore.  Even though it appears solid, ice in Western Washington doesn’t get thick enough to support the weight of an adult or even a child.
• Parent and caregivers should never leave children unattended near ice.

• If you witness someone fall through the ice, never attempt to make a rescue by yourself – call 9-1-1.  Be sure to give your exact location and an account of the situation.  Do not put yourself in danger by going out onto the ice.  Try and throw a life ring, floatation device or rope for the victim to hold onto until emergency help arrives.  If the victim manages to get out, dry them off and keep them warm until emergency help arrives.

• If you see others playing on the ice, warn them of the dangers or call 9-1-1 and have emergency personnel respond to warn them of the dangers.            

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