Friday, January 08, 2010
Check before you skate…
MARK
FROM VGAUTHIER SENT VIA SNAP.TURNTO10.COM
Hi everyone, here’s what’s On My Radar tonight…with all of the recent cold as well as the forecast of another very cold weekend you may be thinking about hitting your local pond for some skating. This is always a temptation, especially after the holidays when some of us have shiny new skates to test. Local knowledge of the pond you will be skating is important…things like: does the pond have a history of freezing quickly, how deep is the water under the ice and is there a current in the water that may create thinner areas of ice.
“No one should ever assume that ice is safe for skating by merely conducting a visual inspection. The ice needs to be cut through and measured in various locations in order to ensure that it is thick enough to support safe skating,” cautions John Faltus, Deputy Chief of DEM’s Division of Parks and Recreation in a statement issued earlier Friday. The DEM says that the ice is safe to skate on at Goddard Park. DEM regularly checks the safety of ice at Goddard & Meshanticut State Parks as well as Lincoln Woods. The information on the condition of the ice can be found on DEM’s 24 hour Ice Hotline 401-222-2632.
The DEM also has an ice safety page in its web page. Click here for the Ice Safety Page. It’s always best to check with your local recreation or public works department before you venture out onto a pond you THINK is safe. Remember to never go out on a pond alone and always let someone know your plans. Winter can be a great time for outdoor recreation, just be sure to enjoy it safely!
Thanks for reading 
Mark
