WARSAW — The Warsaw-Wayne Fire Territory would like to encourage everyone to continue to be safe on the water. With lakes freezing and thawing this time of year, ice can become quite dangerous. 

The fire department would like to remind everyone to keep in mind the thickness and quality of the ice, should you happen to go out. When planning to go out on the ice, let someone know where you will be and what time you plan to be off the ice. 

If you should happen to fall thru the ice, remember the best way to exit is to first stay calm. Then quickly swim to the edge. Get as much of your upper body out of the water as possible. Using your elbows and forearms, prop yourself up and kick as hard as possible. Once out of the water, roll away from the opening. 

Also keep in mind the 1-10-1 rule.  If you happen to become immersed in cold water, it will take one minute for cold shock to pass. Remember to stay calm and keep your airway open. The next 10 minutes you could become cold incapacitated, losing use of fingers, arms and legs. And it takes approximately one hour to die from hypothermia. 

Please keep in mind, the US Coast Guard says no ice is safe ice.