DEM SAYS NO SAFE ICE YET AT STATE PARKS
Skaters Encouraged to Utilize Indoor Rinks Even as Temperatures Remain Low

PROVIDENCE - The Department of Environmental Management advises that despite the cold temperatures of the past several days, there is no safe ice at monitored state parks at this time.

Ice must have a uniform thickness of at least six inches before it is considered safe by DEM. It generally takes at least five to seven consecutive days of temperatures in the low 20s or below before ice may become safe.

"The strength of the ice is determined by a number of factors such as the size and depth of a pond, presence of springs or currents, and local temperature fluctuations," says John Faltus, DEM's Deputy Chief of Parks and Recreation. "As a safety precaution, the Department strongly encourages skaters to utilize indoor skating rinks over the next several days, even as temperatures remain low."

DEM provides ice safety information for Lincoln Woods, World War II, Goddard and Meshanticut State Parks on its 24-hour Ice Information telephone line, 222-2632. However, residents should contact their local recreation departments for skating opportunities and conditions in individual communities since DEM does not monitor ice conditions in local communities.

DEM has an ice safety guide that can be found on its website, www.dem.ri.gov, by clicking on "Parks and Recreation" under "Programs". Developed by DEM's Ice Safety Committee, the guide has safety tips, information on ice strength, and information on what to do if a person were to fall through the ice. The first safety tip: never assume the ice is safe. Among the others: never skate alone or on an untested lake or pond; never use the ice for a shortcut; and never go out onto the ice after an animal or a toy.

DEM's website also lists municipal ice skating rinks and their telephone numbers, and provides links to those with websites.