Knox County Emergency Management is reminding families to keep children off frozen ponds, lakes, and rivers as cold weather continues.
Officials say ice may look solid, but thickness can change quickly and is not reliable. Snow cover, moving water, and temperature swings can weaken ice without warning.
Emergency managers stress that no ice is completely safe, even during extended cold stretches. A sudden fall through the ice can lead to cold-water immersion within seconds.
Parents and guardians are encouraged to talk with children and teens about the risks and to closely supervise outdoor activities.
If someone falls through the ice, call 9-1-1 immediately. Officials say untrained rescue attempts often put more lives in danger.
