Salzgitter's roads were affected by extremely icy conditions on Thursday evening. The control center of the professional fire department issued a warning, which was distributed via the warning services "Katwarn", "Nina" and "Biwapp".
"We alerted the Red Cross and Johanniter-Unfallhilfe for support at short notice," reports Marcus Spiller, press spokesman for the professional fire department. Within 30 minutes, two ambulances and three patient transport vehicles from the DRK and Johanniter were on the road in the city area to help with various operations, such as people who had fallen.
"Our thanks go to the volunteers from both aid organizations," says Marcus Spiller. Despite the icy conditions, the volunteers were deployed at short notice to help citizens. "An ambulance drove to Broistedt to help there," says the press spokesman, emphasizing the neighborly support.
The professional fire department was particularly busy on the A39 near Osterlinde. There was a major accident there involving twelve cars, which fortunately only resulted in body damage. The professional fire department was also deployed in Üfingen, among other places. There, a car hit an electricity distribution box, causing a temporary power cut.
The professional fire department continues to warn of icy conditions. "People should stay at home and avoid unnecessary journeys," said the spokesperson.
The SRB was also out in force on Thursday evening and also warned against walking on ice on lakes and ponds. Despite the sub-zero temperatures of the past few days, these are not yet stable.
These days, low temperatures lure many adults and children onto Salzgittersee, which they believe is already frozen over. But this harbors great dangers: Children are particularly at risk here. They easily overestimate the ice cover, which is still far too thin.
Even if the ice appears solid near the shore, it can look very different a few meters further on. If you break into the ice, the cold water can cause life-threatening hypothermia. After just two minutes, children have little chance of survival.
Only when the ice surface on Salzgittersee is officially opened by the city of Salzgitter is it allowed to be entered within a demarcated and marked area near the pirate playground on the eastern edge of Salzgittersee. The area is marked with red and white route tape and information is provided on the Salzgitter city website.
But even then: enter at your own risk!
Before this happens, however, the ice must be at least 15 centimetres thick. This requires double-digit sub-zero temperatures for weeks.
Until then, the nearby ice rink should be used for safer skating fun.