In January, firefighters around the state were kept busy rescuing people and pets who were trapped on or had fallen through the ice. In January 2016, two teenagers died after falling into an iced-over retention pond in Parker, Colorado. While El Paso County isnít exactly the ìLand of a Thousand Lakes,î there are still numerous bodies of water that accumulate ice in the winter. However, unlike other places in the country, the ice that forms here is typically not thick enough to walk on or skate on, even late in the winter.The Falcon Fire Protection District offers these ice safety tips.
- Donít judge ice strictly by its appearance. Ice in Colorado can be deceptive. Just because it looks safe does not mean it is.
- Be aware of ice covered with snow.†Sometimes the snow serves as insulation.†Other times, it insulates the surface and prevents it from freezing.
- Do not allow children to play on or near ice.
- Keep pets leashed when near an ice-covered pond. Dogs love to chase geese and other animals, and they can quickly get into trouble on thin ice.
- If a pet runs onto ice or falls through it, do not follow. Call for help.
