VIRGINIA BEACH, VIRGINIA (WAVY) – Amid continued winter weather, Virginia Beach EMS is warning the community of increased ice formation that is especially dangerous for children.
The cold weather has caused ice to form, especially on area ponds and canals. Officials warned that the ice-covered waters could be extremely dangerous because normal ice thickness in Hampton Roads wouldn’t even support the weight of a small child.
Common scenarios in ice-related drowning incidents include children playing on the ice, adults trying to rescue children, adults or children walking onto the ice to rescue pets that have fallen into the ice, and children or adults slipping on an ice-covered river bank and falling into the water.
If you see someone falling through the ice, Virginia Beach EMS recommends calling 911 immediately. You can try to reach the victim with a rope, rolled blanket, or pole until help arrives, but do not walk onto the ice yourself.
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