Skip to main content
Pay Online
smartphone image Contact Us
A meter Load Control: None
One-Time Bill Payment
Sign-up for Electric Line e-Newsletter
Home

REPORT AN OUTAGE:

715-677-2211 | 1-800-377-2932 | CWEC OUTAGE MAP | NATIONAL OUTAGE MAP

Menu

NEWS

  • To report a power outage please call 1-800-377-2932.
  • To learn about CWEC Energy Conservation Rewards call our office at 715-677-2211.
  • Enter the CWEC Member Photo Contest by Aug. 25, 2025
1 of 3 
  • About Us
    • About Us
    • Board of Directors
    • Cooperative Principles
    • Capital Credits
    • Political Action
    • Member Involvement
    • Corporate Information
    • Employment Opportunities
    • Contact Us
    • History of Central Wisconsin Electric Cooperative
  • Electric Service
    • Service Map
    • New Construction
    • Conversion Guide
    • Service Disconnection
    • Service Requirements
      • CT Cabinets/Meters
      • New Service Hookup
      • Wiring Affidavit
      • CWEC Electric Service Manual
    • Diggers Hotline
    • Outdoor Lighting
    • Vegetation Management
    • Tree Work Request
    • Power Line Safety
  • Billing
    • Smart Meter Information
    • Pay Your Bill
    • Payment Options
    • New Member Application
    • Rates & Fees
    • Understanding Your Bill
    • Energy Assistance
    • Address Change
    • Member Contact Information
    • Meter Tampering Policy
    • Outage Notification
  • Member Services
    • Dairy Farm Rewiring Loan and Grant Program
    • Co-op Connections Program
    • Operation Round Up
    • STEAM Grant
    • Scholarship Opportunities
    • Youth Leadership Conference
    • Energy Audits
    • Energy Conservation Rewards
    • Load Management
    • Gift of Light
    • Life-Support Equipment
  • Products
    • GenerLink Transfer Switch
  • Renewables
    • Complimentary Electric Vehicle Charging Station
    • CHARGE EV
    • New Distribution Generation System Procedures
    • Solar Demonstration System Output
    • Solar Demonstration System
  • Community
    • Economic Development
    • Electric Demonstrations
    • Emergency Responder Safety Tips
    • Toys for Tots
    • Tree-Based Energy
    • Community Events Calendar
  • News
    • 2025 Annual Meeting
    • Emergency Management Contacts
    • 2025 Member Photo Contest
    • Electrical Safety Poster Contest
    • 2024 "Life in Rural Wisconsin" Winning Photos
    • Safety Before & After Storms
    • Scam Alert
    • Electric Line Newsletter
    • Wisconsin Energy Cooperative News
    • Energy Efficiency Rebates Available
    • Food Pantry Collection
    • Momentary Interruptions

BE SAFE AROUND ICE AND IN THE COLD

Friday | January 26, 2024
All News

This winter’s weather has been a wild ride.

Fluctuating temperatures across the state have caused both snowmobile trail and ice conditions to change regularly. Be prepared for the elements by checking conditions before you head out.

If your plans include access to or use of an ice-covered water body, contact your local fishing clubs, bait shops or outfitters for ice conditions. Remember that no ice is safe ice.

If your plans include snowmobiling, check trail conditions with local snowmobile clubs or on Travel Wisconsin’s Snow Report: https://www.travelwisconsin.com/snowreport/snowmobile

And if the snowmobile trail you had your heart set on is closed, don’t trespass or ride off-trail.

ICE SAFETY

Think twice before going near cold water or ice, especially with the fluctuating temperatures we’re seeing around Wisconsin.

Cold water is always dangerous.

It can be life-threatening if you fall into cold water and do not have protection from the temperature or a lifejacket to help you stay afloat. You can experience cold shock, which can cause dramatic changes in your breathing, heart rate and blood pressure, or incapacitation, where you lose the use of your hands and then your arms and legs.

These things can lead to hypothermia, a significant and potentially dangerous drop in body temperature.

Be safe around cold water and ice. Remember that no ice is safe ice.

WHAT TO DO IF YOU FALL THROUGH ICE

No one ever really plans to fall through ice unexpectedly, but it can happen to anyone.

If it does happen to you, what should you do?

Try to remain as calm as possible. While attempting to get out of the water, call for help. Keep your clothing on unless the clothing is excessive weight that is pulling you under the water.

Do not swim aimlessly but do try to swim to the place where you fell in because, up until the breaking point, the ice there had supported your weight. If you are able to get up on the ice, crawl toward more solid ice.

If you are unable to swim or get up onto the ice but are wearing a life jacket, draw your knees to your chin and keep your legs together. Press both arms against your side and keep your head out of the water. This is called the Heat Escape Lessening Position and protects the critical body areas and slows down the loss of heat.

Anyone who attempts to rescue you should use a rope or something similar to avoid falling through themselves.

Once you’re out of the water, call 911 or the local emergency number and move to a warm place. Remove any wet clothing, dry yourself and warm yourself slowly by wrapping yourself in blankets or putting on dry clothing, warming your core first (trunk and abdomen), not your extremities (hands, feet). Warming your hands and feet first can cause shock. Monitor your breathing and circulation and wait for help to arrive.

SIGNS OF HYPOTHERMIA

With temperatures dipping below zero around the state, let’s brush up on cold weather safety and talk about hypothermia.

Hypothermia is a significant and potentially dangerous drop in body temperature, and it’s not something to take lightly.

It’s caused by prolonged exposure to very cold temperatures.

If you’re outside for a long time in cold temperatures, like if you’re fishing, hiking or hunting in the winter, you can be at risk for hypothermia. You’re especially at risk for hypothermia if you fall into cold water and remain wet and cold.

Know the symptoms of hypothermia:

  1. Shivering
  2. Numbness
  3. Glassy stare
  4. Indifference
  5. Loss of consciousness

Take the person’s temperature if you notice any of the above signs. If it is below 95° F, get medical attention immediately.

Back to Top

Quick Links

  • News
  • Diggers Hotline
  • Economic Development
  • Electric Line Newsletter
  • Wisconsin Energy Cooperative News
  • Energy Savings Programs

Contact Us

Central Wisconsin Electric Cooperative

PO Box 100

10401 Lystul Road

Rosholt, WI  54473

 

Email: cwec@cwecoop.com

Phone: 715-677-2211

Toll Free: 800-377-2932

Pay by Phone: 1-844-239-0083

Fax: 715-677-4333

Office Hours: Monday thru Friday

7:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Follow Us Online

©2025 Central Wisconsin Electric Cooperative. A Touchstone Energy Cooperative.

  • About Us
    • About Us
    • Board of Directors
    • Cooperative Principles
    • Capital Credits
    • Political Action
    • Member Involvement
    • Corporate Information
    • Employment Opportunities
    • Contact Us
    • History of Central Wisconsin Electric Cooperative
  • Electric Service
    • Service Map
    • New Construction
    • Conversion Guide
    • Service Disconnection
    • Service Requirements
      • CT Cabinets/Meters
      • New Service Hookup
      • Wiring Affidavit
      • CWEC Electric Service Manual
    • Diggers Hotline
    • Outdoor Lighting
    • Vegetation Management
    • Tree Work Request
    • Power Line Safety
  • Billing
    • Smart Meter Information
    • Pay Your Bill
    • Payment Options
    • New Member Application
    • Rates & Fees
    • Understanding Your Bill
    • Energy Assistance
    • Address Change
    • Member Contact Information
    • Meter Tampering Policy
    • Outage Notification
  • Member Services
    • Dairy Farm Rewiring Loan and Grant Program
    • Co-op Connections Program
    • Operation Round Up
    • STEAM Grant
    • Scholarship Opportunities
    • Youth Leadership Conference
    • Energy Audits
    • Energy Conservation Rewards
    • Load Management
    • Gift of Light
    • Life-Support Equipment
  • Products
    • GenerLink Transfer Switch
  • Renewables
    • Complimentary Electric Vehicle Charging Station
    • CHARGE EV
    • New Distribution Generation System Procedures
    • Solar Demonstration System Output
    • Solar Demonstration System
  • Community
    • Economic Development
    • Electric Demonstrations
    • Emergency Responder Safety Tips
    • Toys for Tots
    • Tree-Based Energy
    • Community Events Calendar
  • News
    • 2025 Annual Meeting
    • Emergency Management Contacts
    • 2025 Member Photo Contest
    • Electrical Safety Poster Contest
    • 2024 "Life in Rural Wisconsin" Winning Photos
    • Safety Before & After Storms
    • Scam Alert
    • Electric Line Newsletter
    • Wisconsin Energy Cooperative News
    • Energy Efficiency Rebates Available
    • Food Pantry Collection
    • Momentary Interruptions