January 2, 2026 — With winter firmly set in across the region, the Highgate Volunteer Fire Department is reminding residents to take extra precautions when venturing onto frozen lakes, ponds, and rivers. In a safety message shared this week, the department emphasized the importance of carrying ice rescue hand spikes, a simple and inexpensive tool that can be lifesaving if someone breaks through the ice. Fire officials note that hand spikes allow a person to grip the ice surface, pull themselves forward, and escape the water quickly, reducing the risk of hypothermia and drowning. The department encourages anyone ice fishing, skating, or recreating on frozen waterways to carry hand spikes at all times and to practice ice safety awareness throughout the winter season.