SOUTHWICK, Mass. (WWLP) - The Southwick Fire Department is reminding residents and visitors that the ice on local lakes and ponds has not had a chance to freeze solid due to fluctuating temperatures. While it has been cold enough for ice to form, it hasn’t been cold long enough for the ice to thicken. Always remember to keep off ice that is 2 inches or less thick. You can ice fish when the ice is at least 4 inches thick. Ice 5 to 6 inches thick will support snowmobiles and ATVs, 8 to 12 inches of ice will hold cars and small trucks. And the ice needs to be 12 to 15 inches thick to support medium-sized trucks. Currents can create holes in the ice and can make ice thickness unpredictable. Ice can never be considered completely safe due to the currents underneath it in rivers and lakes. Because of these factors, ice can never be considered completely safe. 7 Day Forecast Here’s what you need to know if you or someone falls into the ice, according to the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife. If you fall in: Don’t panic: Call for help if there are people nearby. Don’t remove winter clothing: Air trapped in your clothes can provide warmth and help you float. Turn the direction you came from: Ice you previously walked on should be the safest. Place your hands and arms on an unbroken surface and kick your legs: If you have ice picks or a pair of nails, use them to pull yourself up onto the ice while kicking. Lie flat and roll away: Once your torso is on firm ice, roll toward thicker ice to distribute your weight. Find shelter and get warm: Change out of wet clothing and find warm, dry coverings.If you are in a remote area, get to or start a campfire. Otherwise, get to a car or house. Seek medical advice from your physician on medical attention. If someone else falls in: Remember the phrase “Preach-Reach-Throw-Go.” Preach: Call 911 if you can. Shout to the victim to reassure them help is on the way. Reach: If you can safely reach them from shore, extend an object like a rope, jumper cables, tree branch, or ladder to them. Throw: Toss one end of a rope or something that will float to the victim. Go: If the situation is too dangerous for you to perform a rescue, call 911 or go to find help. Untrained rescuers can become victims themselves. If a pet falls in: Do not attempt to rescue the pet, go find help. Well meaning pet owners can easily become victims themselves when trying to assist their pets. Remember to always keep pets leashed while walking on or near ice.  Local News Headlines Audit faults state on hospital monitoring DEEP identifies body found in Connecticut River Son accused of killing father in Hartford motel stabbing The Big E ranks in largest U.S. carnivals for attendance WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com.