Rescue Ladder placed at Kiwanis Beach – photo courtesy of the Upton Police Department
from the Upton Police Department
The Upton Police Association and members of the Upton Police Department presented six wooden rescue ladders to the Town of Upton to be placed around bodies of water in town. Members of the department recognized the benefit of having these rescue tools available in the event someone should fall through the ice. The materials were purchased by the Upton Police Association and department members worked to construct and paint the ladders. The ladders have been placed at the following locations:
•Pratt Pond Boat Ramp Area
•Pratt Pond at Kiwanis Beach
•Pratt Pond at Perch Rock
•Mill Pond (near Fin & Feather)
•Lake Wildwood (near Red Rock Grill & Bar)
•Taft Pond (at the dam)
The Upton Police Department recommends the following instructions if someone is observed falling through the ice:
*CALL 911 IMMEDIATELY – Make sure properly trained and equipped rescue personnel are alerted to respond.
*DO NOT Go Out Onto The Ice – Many would be rescuers have become victims themselves.
* Reach, Throw Or Row- Extend s rescue ladder to the victim from the shore. Throw them a buoyant object such as a life ring or float tied to a rope. If a boat is nearby, row out to the victim or push it towards them.
If you fall in, try not to panic. Turn toward the direction from which you came. Place your hands and arms on the unbroken surface, working forward by kicking your feet. Once out, remain lying on the ice (do not stand) and roll away from the hole. Crawl back to your tracks, keeping your weight distributed until you return to solid ice.
The Upton Police Department wants to stress that ice is never considered to be safe. The thickness of ice on ponds or lakes depends upon water currents or springs, depth, and natural objects such as tree stumps or rocks. Daily changes in temperature cause the ice to expand and contract, which affects its strength.
UPTON DAILY 