Winter weather - DLRG: Walking on ice can be life-threatening
The persistent winter weather is luring people outdoors - but a trip to frozen lakes and ponds can be life-threatening. The German Life Saving Association (DLRG) issued a warning on Tuesday against stepping onto icy surfaces. "The thickness and load-bearing capacity of the ice can vary greatly. Even supposedly thick ice can be brittle and break quickly," said Elisa Buchwald, spokesperson for the DLRG in Cottbus. Breaking into ice-cold water can be life-threatening within seconds.
In January of this year, a brother and sister aged 22 and 13 collapsed and died on a reservoir in southern Thuringia. In the winter of 2021, for example, people fell through the ice cover into the water at Heiligen See in Potsdam and Schlachtensee in south-west Berlin.
Safety instructions - DLRG "Ice rules" in several languages
Read also:
- Despite the allure of the winter weather, the DLRG advises against venturing onto icy surfaces in Brandenburg, as the thickness and strength can be unpredictable, potentially leading to dangerous breaks.
- Outdoor enthusiasts in Cottbus should be aware of the risks associated with leisure activities on frozen lakes and ponds, as warned by the German Life Saving Association (DLRG).
- The tragic incident in January this year, where a brother and sister died after falling through the ice in southern Thuringia, highlights the need for caution during winter leisure time activities, such as walking on the ice surface.
- To ensure safety during the icy season, the DLRG provides "Ice rules" in several languages, an informative guide on how to enjoy leisure time activities on frozen bodies of water without endangering one's life.
Source: www.stern.de
