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The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) warns parents to caution their children to stay off ponds, streams and other water bodies that now have a thin coating of ice.

"Every season, people fall through ice they thought was safe," said Tim Smalley, DNR boat and water safety specialist. "It's especially tragic when these incidents involve children. A quarter of those who die by falling through the ice are nine years old or younger."

As of Nov. 18, no ice in Minnesota had been reported by DNR conservation officers as consistently four inches thick, the minimum thickness for walking. Ice safety guidelines also recommend a minimum of five inches of new, clear ice for snowmobiles, and eight to 12 inches for automobiles.[[In-content Ad]]

Children are often sent outside to play during the holidays - while meals are prepared and presents wrapped - and they can stray onto unsafe ice.

"Many years, we receive reports of children falling through ice and drowning around the holidays," Smalley said. "Kids are attracted to ice like a magnet. They just don't know how much ice it takes to support a person, nor what is or isn't safe."

Smalley said children should not go out on the ice without adult supervision, even when conditions improve.

The DNR recommends contacting a local bait shop or resort at the destination lake to find out if ice is safe for the planned activities.

Winter sports enthusiasts can obtain a free packet of ice safety information by calling 651-296-6157 in the Twin Cities area or toll-free 888-646-6367 or e-mail [email protected].

Computer users can view a short video on ice safety on the DNR's ice safety web page at www.mndnr.gov.

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