Ice remains thin across state as Thanksgiving approaches

Published 8:58 am Tuesday, November 26, 2013

ST. PAUL — Safety officials are warning parents to keep an eye on their children over the Thanksgiving holiday as they visit family and friends who live near lakes, ponds or streams.

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources says the ice remains thin. Six people died after falling through ice across the state last winter.

Water safety specialist Kara Owens says kids are adventurous and want to play while their parents cook or visit with friends, but an inch or two of ice is not safe. And she says children should never go onto the ice without adult supervision — even when conditions improve.

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The DNR recommends anyone heading out on ice should check with a local bait shop or resort about conditions, carry a set of ice picks, and measure the ice.