Police have responded to stories of individuals strolling on {a partially} frozen lake in Co Down.
Officers attended Hillsborough Forest Park to make sure the protection of the general public on Saturday afternoon.
The lake has been frozen in elements over the past week and right now after temperatures plummeted in a single day, it was frozen throughout most of its floor.
However whereas the ice seems to be thick, it’s not – and strolling on any half may show lethal.
A PSNI spokesperson stated: “Sure, the lake seems frozen however the sheet ice shouldn’t be as thick because it appears to be like and is already thawing in locations.
“Please if out and about right now, be smart and don’t danger strolling on the frozen lake. That is extremely harmful. Police will proceed to concentrate to the Forest Park all through the day.”
(Picture: PSNI)
Police are additionally warning to not take scooters and different autos on to frozen rivers, ponds and lakes.
A spokesperson stated: “Whereas the ice could seem sturdy and capable of help weight it may well turn into very skinny in a short time. The floor can simply crack, give approach and people can fall by means of. The implications might be deadly.
“When you see somebody, or a pet, fall by means of the ice and get into issue by no means attempt to rescue them your self. As a substitute cellphone 999 instantly.”
And so they added that motorists should additionally take additional precautions.
A spokesperson stated: “Motorists have to pay due care and a focus on the roads within the winter and be capable of adapt to altering circumstances. Even probably the most skilled drivers can discover themselves moving into difficulties when the roads are icy.”
This is what the PSNI advise:
Firstly ask your self whether or not your journey is de facto mandatory.
Earlier than you set off in your journey:
- Be certain that your automobile is in winter roadworthy situation.
- Verify that your tyres meet the authorized necessities. Tyres that wouldn’t have the authorized tread will critically have an effect on the traction and steering of your automobile.
- Clear your windscreen correctly of ice and snow.
- Verify your brakes and guarantee your lights are working correctly .
- Verify your oil and washer fluid ranges.
- Carry water and de-icer within the automobile with you.
If you’re happening an extended journey, be sure to deliver meals, sizzling drinks, heat blankets and a completely charged cell phone.
When you should journey in wintry climate bear in mind to:
- Decelerate and depart loads of room to cease. It’s best to enable at the very least 3 times extra space than common between you and the automobile in entrance.
- Brake gently to keep away from skidding. In case your wheels lock, ease off the brakes.
- Flip in your lights to extend your visibility to different motorists and all the time clear all ice and snow off the automobile home windows earlier than setting out.
- Drive slowly on snow within the highest gear doable.
- By no means overtake snowploughs or gritting lorries. The drivers have restricted visibility, and you might be prone to discover that the street in entrance of them is worse that the street behind.
- Don’t assume your automobile can deal with all circumstances. Even four-wheel drive autos can encounter bother on winter roads.
- Carry wellingtons or different sturdy boots and weatherproof clothes in case it’s a must to get out and stroll, or push a automobile.
When you get caught in snow:
- Don’t spin your wheels. It will solely dig you in deeper. Flip your wheels backward and forward just a few instances to push snow out of the best way.
- Use a lightweight contact on the accelerator to ease your automobile out.
- Use a shovel to clear snow away from the wheels and the underside of the automobile.
- Pour sand, gravel or salt within the path of the wheels – and even use your foot mats – to assist get traction.
- When you should depart your automobile, organize to have it recovered as quickly as doable. When you assume it’s in a spot that will pose a hazard to different street customers, name the police to allow them to know.
Snowy climate could be enjoyable for all however throwing snowballs at passing vehicles is extraordinarily harmful. The automobile might be broken and there’s a hazard that the motive force might be injured. There may be a danger that the motive force may lose management of the automobile with horrible penalties.
At instances we’ve got acquired stories that gritting and salt lorries have been disrupted by individuals throwing snowballs on the autos and that emergency autos have been focused equally. That is extraordinarily harmful and ends in your entire neighborhood struggling and dropping out on very important companies. It wouldn’t be so humorous if the ambulance was on the best way to one in all your kinfolk.
A PSNI spokesperson stated: “The winter could be particularly robust for susceptible or remoted members of the neighborhood.
“When you’ve got any issues about anybody in your neighborhood please contact us and we’ll test on their security and wellbeing. We work with all of the communities we serve to maintain everybody protected.”
