Countryside fire urges outdoor ice safety

Countryside Fire Protection District officials are urging people to stay off outdoor ice. Officials at the Vernon Hills-based fire district said with recent fluctuations in temperature, the ice will be weak.

In addition, they stressed strength of ice can't be judged by its appearance, age, thickness, temperature or whether it is covered with snow.

Strength is based on all of those factors, plus the depth of water under the ice, size of the water body, water chemistry and currents, the distribution of the load on the ice and local climatic conditions, said Public Education Coordinator Tony Rodkey.

"Most schools will be returning to school next week and while still on holiday break, children who live near a pond or lake with ice may have a false sense of security," Rodkey added.