Megan Ferraro Discusses Winter Ice Safety on NBC Detroit

Water safety doesn’t take a winter break. NBC Detroit recently featured The ZAC Foundation’s Executive Director Megan Ferraro to discuss a critical, but often overlooked winter hazard: ice safety.

Why Ice Safety Matters

In Michigan and across cold-weather states, frozen lakes and ponds create serious drowning risks that many families underestimate. Cold water shock can incapacitate someone within minutes, and ice rescues become exponentially more dangerous as ice continues to break during rescue attempts.

The Safety Standards

Before heading out on ice to fish, skate, or snowmobile, Megan emphasized checking that ice is at least 5-inches thick for walking and 8-inches thick for vehicles. Look for cracks, seams, pressure ridges, or slushy areas that signal unsafe conditions.

“Water safety is not just for summer months. If you live around a lake, you need to make it a part of your lifestyle 365 days a year.”

Watch the full NBC Detroit interview.