While many of us are bundled up and avoiding the elements, outdoor enthusiasts are likely itching to get outside and enjoy the winter weather.

Before you strap on your ice skates or pull out your fishing poles, though, the Michigan DNR has advice for folks before they attempt to brave the ice. Lt. Ton Wanless advises as follows:

• You can’t always determine the strength of ice simply by its look, its thickness, the temperature or whether the ice is covered with snow. New ice generally is stronger than old ice. While a couple of inches of new, clear ice may be strong enough to support a person, a foot of old ice riddled with air bubbles may not. 

• Clear ice that has a bluish tint is the strongest. Ice formed by melted and refrozen snow appears milky, and often is porous and weak. Ice covered by snow always should be presumed unsafe. Snow acts like an insulating blanket and slows the freezing process, making the ice thinner and weaker.

• If there is slush on the ice, stay off. Slush ice is only about half as strong as clear ice and indicates the ice no longer is freezing from the bottom.

• Be especially cautious in areas where air temperatures have fluctuated. A warm spell may take several days to weaken the ice. But when temperatures vary widely, causing ice to thaw during the day and refreeze at night, the result is a weak, spongy or honeycombed ice that is unsafe.

• Deep inland lakes take longer to freeze than shallow lakes. Ice cover on lakes with strong currents or chain-of-lakes systems also is more unpredictable.

• Ice near shore tends to be much weaker because of shifting, expansion and heat from sunlight reflecting off the bottom. If there’s ice on the lake but water around the shoreline, proceed with caution. Avoid areas with protruding logs, brush, plants and docks as they can absorb heat from the sun and weaken the surrounding ice.

• Wanless said that anyone walking onto a frozen lake or river should wear a life jacket, bright colors, carry a cellphone and bring a set of ice picks or ice claws. .

We encourage all who are so inclined to get outside and embrace the winter weather, but heed the DNR’s warnings before you do.

Opinions expressed are those of the editorial board consisting of general manager Ambrosia Neldon and editors Ted Yoakum and Scott Novak.