In winter, the temptation is great: frozen lakes invite you to sledge and ice skate. But the glistening ice harbors deadly dangers, so please be aware:

• The ice can be too thin, especially in dark places - there is a risk of collapse here. Only walk on ice that is at least 10 to 15 centimetres thick.
• If the ice crackles and cracks, shows cracks or if water gushes to the surface: do not step on it! If you are already on the ice: Lie down flat to distribute your weight over a larger area and crawl to the shore. Avoid jerky movements if possible.
• Caution is not only required on snow-covered surfaces and overgrown banks; the ice thickness can also suddenly decrease at inlets and outlets. In principle, you should only enter waters that you are familiar with.
• If you break in, you should try to hold on to the ice or pull on it. If the ice continues to break, you can try to use your fists or elbows to break your way to the shore.
• Helpers should not put themselves in danger: Ensure that you are secured (ropes/float jacket) and do not venture too far out.
• Anyone stepping onto the ice to help should use a support (ladder, planks) to distribute the weight. A base laid across the collapsed area makes it easier to rescue the person who has fallen in. Rescue rings suspended from bodies of water can also be used as an aid.
• Wrap rescued persons in warm blankets and warm them carefully. Do not rub them with snow as a "home remedy". Do not give hypothermic persons alcohol, give them warm tea instead.

You should observe the following tips to ensure that the pure joy of life at carnival is not spoiled by accidents and fires:

• When buying streamers and garlands, look out for flame-retardant products. You can recognize these by the "B1" label.
• Do not wear masks or costumes made of highly flammable materials such as paper or plastic.
• When decorating the party room, do not place decorative materials in the immediate vicinity of light bulbs, radiant heaters, candles or other hot objects.
• Be careful with naked flames in decorated rooms and position candles and lanterns so that they are safe from the hustle and bustle.
• Set up ashtrays and only empty their contents into metal buckets.
• Clearly mark emergency exits and do not close them. They must be kept open during the entire event (do not lock them).
• Have extinguishing agents ready - fire extinguishers or buckets of water.
• Even if the hunt for "Kamelle" and other thrown goods gets hot - keep a sufficient distance from the floats during parades.
• Enjoy alcohol in moderation. Accidents and illnesses caused by drunkenness are the most frequent causes of emergency services being called out at festive events.
• Park responsibly and keep escape routes clear!

For many people, a successful Easter celebration also includes an Easter bonfire. In principle, there is nothing wrong with this custom if certain rules are observed. Easter bonfires must be designed and burned in such a way that the neighborhood is not unreasonably disturbed. This means that only untreated, natural wood or tree and shrub cuttings free of leaves may be burned. The wood should also be as dry as possible. Coated wood or wood treated with wood preservatives has no place in an Easter bonfire.

Fires that are lit to burn garden waste, for example, rather than for the purpose of preserving customs are legally considered waste disposal. Customary fires must not be misused for waste disposal.

The prudent and responsible burning of an Easter bonfire also includes a careful choice of location to prevent fires caused by flames or flying sparks. As small animals such as hedgehogs often hide in the piles of wood, the firewood should only be gathered together shortly before lighting or completely rearranged to prevent the animals from dying.

Customary fires must be reported to the Office for Citizen Services in advance.

Accidents happen again and again during the Christmas season when candles on Advent decorations and Christmas trees or defective fairy lights set rooms and houses on fire. These ten tips from the Bonn fire department will help you get through the Christmas season safely.

1. Never leave burning candles or tea lights unattended or alone with children and pets. Pets in particular can inadvertently become "arsonists".
2. Always keep matches and lighters out of the reach of children. Do you have older children? Take the opportunity to familiarize them with the correct way to handle open fires.
3. It is best to place the Advent wreath and flower arrangements on a non-flammable surface.
4. Avoid flammable materials in the immediate vicinity of candles, such as curtains, paper napkins or wrapping paper, as well as strong draughts.
5. Only use safety candles and candle holders made of fireproof material.
6. Be careful with dry flower arrangements and Christmas trees. Do not leave decorations up for too long after Christmas. Watering trees regularly or moistening flower arrangements with a flower spray considerably reduces the risk of fire.
7. Electric Christmas decorations are a safe alternative to real candles. Only buy items with the VDE symbol(Association for Electrical, Electronic & Information Technologies) to ensure that they meet the safety requirements.
8. With fairy lights and electrical decorations, pay attention to possible overloading of multiple sockets and extension leads. The maximum power of the power strips must not be exceeded.
9. Should a fire nevertheless break out, only attempt to extinguish it without endangering yourself. Otherwise, close the door to the fire room and leave the apartment or house! In any case, call the fire department on 112. You can find detailed information on the correct behavior in the event of a fire  here.
10. Install  smoke alarms. This is because they generally reduce the risk of fires developing unnoticed and thus endangering human life.

Regardless of whether you want to really "let it rip" at the end of the year or prefer to "slide" quietly into the new year, New Year's Eve fireworks are an integral part of most people's celebrations. However, injuries and fire damage occur time and time again. If you follow a few basic rules, you will enter the new year unscathed.

The Bonn fire department has compiled the most important tips on how to handle rockets and firecrackers correctly.

• Only use fireworks and firecrackers as specified in the operating instructions or on the packaging. Never set off fireworks in your hand. Cannonballs and firecrackers are also safest to ignite on the ground.
• Ensure that bottles used as launching pads for rockets are securely positioned and aligned so that the rockets can rise vertically and without obstruction.
• Keep a sufficient distance after the firecracker or rocket has been ignited.
• Only buy fireworks that have a test number from the Federal Office for Materials Testing(BAM). Tampering with or making your own fireworks is life-threatening!
• Do not carry fireworks on your body or in your shirt, trouser or jacket pockets.
• If you have been drinking alcohol, it is better to leave the pyrotechnic part of the New Year to sober "fireworkers".
• Flammable objects should be removed from balconies on New Year's Eve so that misdirected fireworks do not set them alight.

Another note from the Office for the Environment and Urban Greenery: Setting off fireworks in nature reserves is generally prohibited. The protection of wild animals and plants and their habitats has the highest priority here. The Flora-Fauna-Habitat (FFH) areas designated by the EU are under particularly strict protection. In Bonn, the Ennert, the Siegmündung, the Kottenforst and the Rodderberg are under special protection as nature conservation areas of European importance.