All bodies of water, including ponds that have formed ice, are dangerous to walk on at this time in the season. 

"We ask everybody to stay off our ice. All the ice should be considered dangerous at this time," says Fred deGroot, WFPS's Public Information Officer. 

While the temperatures are dropping and likely to stay below zero, not enough ice has formed to hold a person's weight. In general, ice should be at least 4-6 inches thick before it is safe to stand or skate on. Even then, the current underneath needs to be taken into consideration to stay safe. 

"You risk falling through the ice, getting trapped and getting sucked underneath it. In retention ponds you can get trapped in debris on the bottom, your feet can get stuck in the mud."

An issue that follows is rescuing someone who has fallen through, making it just as dangerous for first responders to help as they risk falling in themselves. 

"Don't put them at risk and just stay off the ice," he says. 

Children who are curious may be the biggest risk factor when it comes to walking on ponds and testing the ice strength. 

"That's why we ask parents to remind their children before they go out the door," says WPS Officer with the River Patrol Unit, Ray Duma. "Also teachers at school, please tell the young children the risk and dangers of thin ice and to stay away from it."