By Anne Levin

The rescue of a woman who fell through the ice on Rosedale Lake last week, in an effort to save her dogs, is a reminder that venturing out onto ice — for skating or any other reason — carries a risk. Thankfully, the 37-year-old woman was pulled to safety by police after she had successfully gotten the dogs out of the frigid water.

With temperatures dipping way below freezing on recent days, the prospect of ice skating on local bodies of water can seem especially tempting. The Princeton Recreation Department hopes to keep people safe with a list of guidelines that is available at princetonrecreation.com.

There are three locations where flags have been installed to identify safety conditions. At Community Park North’s pond, the flag is on the side berm, near the Mountain Avenue jug handle on Route 206. There are two flags at Barbara Smoyer Park’s pond — one in front of the pump house, and one on the opposite side of the pond. The two flags at Lake Carnegie are on top of the Princeton University Boat House off Washington Road, and by the Harrison Street Bridge.

A red flag means the ice is unsafe for skating. White signifies that it is safe. “We need to get a minimum of five inches [thickness] to deem that it is safe,” said Princeton’s Assistant Director of Recreation Joe Marrolli. “We start at the shore, and slowly work our way toward the center. Even if we do get that five inches at the shore, we tell people there might be some surface irregularities. So skate at your own risk.”

Skaters should note the location of safety equipment at strategic points around the skating area. Ring buoys and 60 feet of rope can be accessed to assist someone in trouble. But the first thing to do is call Princeton Police at either 911 or (609) 921-2100.

“Do not attempt to get close to the person in the water,” reads the safety guidelines. “Get an object to the person by reaching along the surface of the ice.”

Recreation department staff check the thickness of the ice as needed, and have been doing so since the 1980s. But with a warming climate, “It’s probably gotten cold enough only about three or four times within the last 10 to 15 years,” Marrolli said.

Another option is the outdoor synthetic “eco-friendly” ice rink, behind the Nassau Inn. The rink is open through February 27.

For updates on conditions at Carnegie Lake and the ponds at Barbara Smoyer Park and Community Park North, check the Princeton Recreation Department’s social media pages or website. Do not call Princeton Police Department or Princeton University Public Safety for information.

Never skate alone, Marrolli said. “And don’t go on any ice in an unauthorized section. On Lake Carnegie, we check between the Harrison and Washington street bridges, so don’t go onto the other side. If you see any branches in the water, obviously avoid those. We try to monitor as best we can, but use your judgement. The ice can have a mind of its own.”