Low temperatures are attracting adults and children to the Salzgittersee and other lakes these days, which they believe are already frozen over. But there are dangers involved: 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. If you don't want to put your life in danger, it's better to stay on the shore.
Only when the ice surface on Salzgittersee is officially cleared 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. But even then: enter at your own risk!

When the time comes, the boundary will be marked with flagged ropes. Clearance is announced by hoisting a red and white pennant on a mast near the German Life Saving Association station. A corresponding message is also published.

Before this happens, however, the ice must be at least 15 centimetres thick. This requires temperatures in the double digits below zero for weeks.