Jacksonville firefighters urge ice safety as temperatures rise

JACKSONVILLE, Ill. (WAND) — As temperatures start to warm up across central Illinois, the Jacksonville Fire Department is warning residents to stay off ice-covered ponds, lakes and waterways.

The department said warming temperatures significantly weaken ice, even when it looks solid.

According to the fire department, firefighters have trained over the past three weeks for ice rescue, but prevention is still the safest option.

JFD is advising residents to avoid walking or skating on ice-covered bodies of water, keep kids and pets away from the ice, call 9-1-1 and never try to rescue someone that falls through the ice yourself, and never assume ice is safe based on appearance or past conditions.

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