Residents and visitors inclined to try walking out onto water surfaces that appear to be frozen are encouraged to use extreme caution.

The Southampton Town Department of Public Safety and Emergency Management, in conjunction with Southampton Town Marine Patrol and local Fire Department and EMS agencies, are encouraging people to avoid, or be very cautious attempting to walk upon water surfaces that appear frozen. Falling on ice and snow is estimated to cause nearly a million injuries per year. Add to that the presence of dangerously cold-water underneath that ice and it could be the recipe for disaster.

“Many of our local emergency response agencies train and prepare to deal with ice related emergencies but responses can be slow and challenging depending on the circumstances,” said Town Emergency Manager, Ryan Murphy. “Cold shock can occur in as little as two to three minutes and extended exposure in freezing cold water can be fatal. Even just the initial shock can cause gasping and can lead to drowning,” Murphy said.

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYS DEC) indicates that the following guidance should be utilized for clear lake ice:

Saltwater surfaces, areas where water is known to move more regularly or rapidly, and areas where bubblers or agitators are used to protect docks are particularly dangerous and should not be trusted. The NYS DEC also indicates that many freshwater actually anglers prefer to have an inch or two greater thickness than the above referenced guidelines in order to really be comfortable from a safety perspective. Even when following the guidance, make sure to also use the buddy system and think about a safety plan before entering the area that appears frozen.

The Town of Southampton and all of its agencies and partners in emergency response wish our residents and visitors a safe remainder to the winter season. For more cold weather tips please visit the Town’s Emergency Preparedness webpage.