Weather: Despite the freezing temperatures, danger on thin ice

Since a few days the Frost has been a large part of Germany firmly in its grip. In Hesse, the lowest temperatures were measured with minus 13.6 degrees in Burgwald-bottendorf, such as the German weather service announced. Thus, the ice layers grow on many waters. However, the fire brigade and the German life saving society (DLRG) are a strong warning against Entering frozen lakes or rivers, because the ice sheets are too thin. Walkers and Ice skaters put possibly your life. Some advice:

when can ice be entered?

several days of frost does not guarantee an adequately thick layer of ice, warns the DLRG. Because many of the waters are in motion and need for a very long time, until they freeze over. Only the authorities officially released ice may be entered.

Who dares, nevertheless, on frozen lakes, is highly reckless. To be able to a lake to enter, should be the ice for at least 15 centimeters thick, in the case of flowing waters, and even 20 inches.

What are the warning signs for too thin a layer of ice?

The majority of natural waters are generally not released. The water protection police and local authorities refer to the fact that Entering frozen water is at your own risk. When the ice crackles and breaks or cracks, it should not be entered.

Great caution is also required in the case of snow-covered ice, and vegetated riparian zones. Treacherous lakes can be crossed by streams or rivers. To the A – and outflows and, more generally, in dark Places, the ice cover is considerably thinner. Then the robbery is a risk. Alone, the DLRG does every Winter, around 150,000 hours emergency service.

What to do in case of an accident?

Who realizes in the middle of the lake that the ice will bear, you should lie down immediately flat and to the shore back to the seals. A companion breaks, should be stopped, the first emergency call. Then gently on the abdomen to break-point crawl, and try the Affected.