OSHKOSH, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – The Oshkosh Fire Department responded to calls of children playing out on the ice of the lagoons near South Park.
They want to remind people of the dangers of heading out on the ice.
Is it safe enough? With kids ready to play, and others itching to fish, the Oshkosh Fire Department is issuing a warning.
John Holland, Public Information Officer with the Oshkosh Fire Department, says warmer temps are part of what’s keeping people away from their favorite winter activities.
“This ice is not safe! It is 40 degrees out, or close to it, anyway. That is not a good time to be out on the ice,” he said.
Some people aren’t hearing, or aren’t listening, to that warning.
Oshkosh firefighters are getting calls about kids out on icy ponds near the South Park area.
We’re told they found shoe prints on a thin layer of ice.
“We really strongly suggest staying off the ice until you’re absolutely certain that there’s enough ice thickness and enough safety to go out without incident,” said Mark Scheffler, of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary.
Officials say a good rule of thumb is waiting until there’s at least four inches of solid ice before walking onto it.
While ice should never be considered to be 100% safe, one Appleton man says there’s way to check if you can go out or not.
“You got to go out before and stab on the ice. If it goes through, you better back off! It’s not worth going out,” said Jim Reget.
And if you think small lagoons like the ones at South Park are safer than larger bodies of water, Oshkosh Fire says think again.
“Right now, there’s no such thing as safe ice,” Holland said.
Anglers out on Lake Butte des Morts tend to disagree.
“There’s a good solid four or five inches of ice, and the surface temperature is just that, you know. It gets cold at night, so I feel safe,” defends Reget.
Even if the ice is thick enough, and you feel safe to test the frozen waters, the U.S. Coast Guard says you should still always have a “float plan” in place.
Officials also say when going out on any ice, among other precautions, you should go out with a friend and keep a good distance apart as you walk out.
