Chesterfield officials warn of frozen pond dangers, provide tips if someone falls in

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — Chesterfield officials are stressing the danger of walking on frozen ponds and lakes this winter season.

Officials with the Chesterfield County Fire and EMS took to social media to remind residents not to walk on bodies of water that may appear frozen, as the county reported several calls of children walking on frozen ponds and lakes over the past weeks.

The warning came after a toddler died after he was pulled from a Henrico County pond on Jan. 26. The incident took place on a below-freezing day following last weekend's snow and ice storm.

Chesterfield officials reiterated that residents should never walk on ice-covered bodies of water. Though it might appear solid, officials said the ice is unlikely to freeze to a suitable depth to walk on and that thin ice can break under a small amount of weight.

If residents fall into the pond, they risk going into shock or getting hypothermia from the icy waters, officials said. Rescue efforts on ice can also be "extremely dangerous" for both the victim and rescuers.

If you see someone fall through ice, Chesterfield officials provide the following steps to take:

• Do not panic
• Encourage the victim to keep calm
• Call 911 immediately
• Do not attempt to enter the water
• Extend an object, such as a tree branch or rope, to try and help pull them out. 

Officials said that bystanders should never enter the water or go onto the ice to attempt the rescue.

"Anyone that's not a professional attempting a rescue could become a victim themselves in a matter of seconds," Chesterfield officials said in an email to 8News.