Winter seems to have come early this year. I can’t recall too many times when we’ve had below zero temperatures before the holiday season. I’m hearing stories that some lakes and ponds have over 4 inches of ice (some as much as 8 or 9 already). That means folks can get out and do some early ice fishing.

Last year I wrote an article in this column about ice fishing safety. It covered some of the basics. Make sure there is at least 4 inches of good strong clear ice. Carry ice picks to pull yourself out (in the direction that you came from). Dress warm and in layers. Never go alone.

There were some things that I didn’t have space to cover. One of them is the general guideline for ice thickness for vehicles. Note that the thicknesses are for clear blue (strong) ice and that cloudy white ice is only half as strong (or less).

For snowmobile and ATV use a minimum of 5 to 7 inches is needed. For small pickups or passenger cars 8 to 12 inches is recommended. At least 12 to 15 are needed for full size pickups.

Being a bit conservative (because I’ve gone through the ice twice and didn’t enjoy it either time), I would suggest using the higher numbers in those ranges. The life you save may be your own.

The folks at the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife have some very good suggestions about driving motor vehicles on ice listed on their website. The first is to not do it unless you absolutely have to. If you do drive on ice, keep your windows all rolled down so that you can escape.

Do not wear seat belts because you will only have seconds to get out. Do not wear your personal floatation device (PFD) inside the vehicle because it can actually trap you against the roof when the vehicle is full of water.

What can you do to be prepared if someone else falls through the ice? Here are a few tips. Carry your cell phone while ice fishing so you can call 911 (remember, try calling even if you have no service (“bars”) because the e911 system uses a lot of other towers and the call usually will go through).

Carry a rope. Use an extension cord or jumper cables or any similar item in an emergency to help pull the person out. Carry a pair of ice picks with metal eye hooks in them that are tied together and that have handles and a cord between them that float to toss to the person.

Maine IFW lists five things on their website to do if someone goes through the ice. The first is Preach – shout to the victim to encourage them to fight to stay alive. The second is Reach – use anything available like ladders and tree branches to help the person.

The third is Throw – use ropes, jumper cables, etc. to help pull the person out. Next is Row – if a boat is available, push it out on the ice ahead of you and then pull the person up into it. Last is Go – only go out onto the ice if nothing else works.

Good luck to everyone that will be out ice fishing. Let’s all be safe and enjoy the outdoors!