Coast Guard issues lake ice warning

SANDUSKY — The U.S. Coast Guard is warning people to be careful on the Lake Erie ice. The current thickness of ice on the lake "far below" the seasonal average of years past, creating "extremely hazardous conditions" for anyone who goes out there, the Coast Guard's Buffalo office said in a news release Tuesday. "Last year there were multiple accidents due to ice instability resulting in persons falling into the ice-cold water and total loss of personal recreation equipment, like snowmobiles and ATVs," the release states. "The public is advised to not venture onto the ice. Never assume the ice is safe, even if others are on it." The main danger of falling into icy cold water is hypothermia, even if you're able to get out of the water immediately, the release states. The Coast Guard said people should wear proper clothing to prevent hypothermia and to wear bright colors to make themselves easily visible. People should also carry noise-making equipment like a whistle, a waterproof VHF-FM radio or personal locating beacon, and ice awls, ice picks or screwdrivers which people can use to climb to safety should an accident occur.