By Cynthia Grau/WJEZ News

The Pontiac Fire Department just conducted its annual ice rescue training recently, and with the returning frigid temperatures paired with recent flooding, ice safety is a concern for those in the area.

Chief Scott Runyon said the number one thing to remember is to not go out on the ice unless completely necessary. He also had other tips to save yourself or others if they do happen to fall through the ice.

“Don’t try to strip your clothes off. Your clothes are going to help with buoyancy, even if they get waterlogged. Best thing you can do if you fall through is get your forearms up on the ice, kick your feet and try to crawl out and roll out. Just try to roll away from it. Always try to go back out the same direction you came out, because more than likely, if you came this way, it is thick enough that you can get back off. If someone is with you, hopefully they can grab a stick or anything that’s laying around, depending where you’re at, just something you can reach out there and try to bring them in. If you have a bunch of people, you can form a human chain laying on the ice and go out and get them. It’s not safe, but you’re trying to rescue somebody,” Runyon said.

Runyon was a guest on a recent Community Forum where he gave more tips for safety on the ice. That can be found at WJEZ.com.