As Weather Warms, Icicles Begin to Fall

With the weather warming up, residents need to be aware of the potential danger of falling icicles.

Zanesville Fire Chief Dave Lacy says the icicles hanging from homes and buildings this year are some of the largest he has ever seen. With the size and weight of this winter’s icicles, they can be dangerous as the fall from buildings.

"Obviously as these icicles develop normally all of them have a sharp point at the end and there is every possibility there that someone could be badly injured or worse," says Fire Chief Dave Lacy.

Chief Lacy says he has only seen minor injuries from fallen icicles, but the potential is there for life threatening injuries. Chief Lacy says if you can knock the icicles down safely, that is probably a good idea before they begin to thaw and fall.

"Especially any of them that are over walkways or doorways or things like that where there is likely to be people present," tells Chief Lacy.

The Zanesville Fire Department would also appreciate if homeowners dig out the fire hydrants on their property.

"That is certainly helpful, if people can do that in a safe manner, certainly it is very helpful to both dig them out of the snow that is there and certainly not pile any snow where the hydrant is totally obstructed and we don’t have access to it," says Chief Lacy.

Chief Lacy says some city and water crews have begun digging out fire hydrants around the city.

Katie Jeffries

KJeffries@whizmediagroup.com