Officials Remind Residents To Stay Off Ice After 2 People Fall Through

HOWARD COUNTY, MD — Emergency officials are reminding residents to stay off of ice covered waterways for the time being after rescuing two people who fell through an icy covering on a body of water.

"Whether they are natural or man-made, the ice is not thick enough to support people," the Howard County Police Department stated.

This week, the county fire and rescue department rescued two people who had fallen through the ice on a body of water in Ellicott City. They were uninjured.

"This incident serves as a critical reminder to stay off ice-covered waterways, as they may not be safe to support weight," the police department stated.

According to the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, do not walk or fish on ice unless there is at least four inches of clear, solid ice underfoot. Also, ice depth can vary in thickness at stream inlets and outlets due to the underlying current chipping away at the ice from the underside.

The Maryland DNR recommends people wear life vests under winter coats to improve their odds of survival if they fall through the ice and carry large nails, ice picks or wooden-handle screwdrivers to help pull yourself back on top of the ice in case you fall through.