With winter temperatures settling in, Park Forest Fire Chief Mark Cotrano is urging residents to stay off frozen lakes and ponds until conditions are truly safe.

While cold mornings may make local ponds and lakes appear solid, the ice has not yet formed thick enough to safely support people, Cotrano said. Early winter freezes often create only a thin surface layer that can be deceptive and unpredictable.

“Even though it looks solid, that ice can be dangerously thin,” Cotrano said. “We’ve only had a few days below freezing. Those early freezes create surface ice that can vary a lot in thickness from one spot to the next.” Ice thickness can fluctuate dramatically across a small area, and solid-looking sections just a few feet apart may hide dangerously weak ice beneath the surface.

According to commonly accepted safety guidelines, ice should generally be at least four inches thick before it can safely support a person on foot. That guidance applies only to clear, uniform ice — a condition that is rare during early winter and can be compromised by snow cover, moving water, vegetation, or recent temperature changes.

“We don’t want to see anyone fall through,” Cotrano added. “Cold water can incapacitate someone in minutes. A rescue on frozen water is one of the most dangerous situations our crews face.” In addition to the risk to individuals, ice rescues place first responders in hazardous conditions, requiring specialized equipment and training.

Fire and rescue officials are encouraging residents to enjoy winter activities from safe areas along the shoreline and to keep children and pets well away from ice edges. Residents are also reminded that no ice is ever 100 percent safe, even during prolonged cold spells.

Before planning any recreational activity on frozen water, residents are urged to check with local authorities for current conditions and official safety guidance.