To ensure a safe winter and holiday season, the Harbormaster Department is urging residents to be cautious around ice on waterways.

According to the U.S. Coast Guard, there are more than 7,000 drownings and 20,000 near-drownings in the United States each year. More than half of these incidents occur in cold water.

Ice on moving water in harbors, rivers, streams, and brooks is never safe. The thickness of ice on ponds and lakes depends upon water currents or springs, depth, and natural objects such as tree stumps and rocks. Daily changes in temperature cause the ice to expand and contract, which affects its strength. Because of these factors, ice can never be declared absolutely "safe".

The Harbormaster Department offers the following safety tips:

• Never assume that ice on waterways is safe.
• Always wear a lifejacket when boating.
• Adults should always supervise children around ice.
• Wear bright-colored clothing.
• Always tell someone where you will be.
• Stay away from ice on salt water.
• Never skate or go ice fishing alone.
• Know the body of water, nearby street, and where the nearest location to go for help is.
• If you are standing on ice and hear it cracking, immediately lie down to distribute your weight.
• Never go out onto ice after animals or toys.
• Never use ice for a shortcut.