A local newspaper ran an editorial on things parents should be aware of re: their kids and outdoor ice. It was written in response to the four kids dying in MA last week after they'd fallen through ice on a local river.

The article noted that children should be told to stay off ice. They should also be told, as a precaution:

-Not to go onto ice alone.
-Not to go onto ice that is covered with snow.
-That slush is a danger sign of weak ice.
-Ice on flowing water - rivers, creeks - is weaker than ice on lakes.
-Don't encourage pets onto ice.
-Ice can be safe in one area and not in another.

The author also notes that, because children often disobey, parents may also want to advise their kids on what to do if someone does fall through:

-Don't panic.
-Call for help.
-If alone, get your arms onto the ice and kick hard with your feet. This will help lift you onto the ice. Then, roll - don't walk - to safety.
-If with others, a companion should stretch out on the ice (which distributes the weight over a greater area) and pass the end of a rope, branch or coat sleeve, whatever is handy, to the person in the water.

Really, the best place for wild skating is on frozen water-meadows that have flooded, rather than on lakes or ponds. That way, if the ice isn't bearing, you don't go more than ankle deep... although you can drown in that much water if you can't get up.

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Mrs Redboots
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I love my computer because my friends live in it!
Ice dancers have lovely big curves!