MADISON, Wis. -- The Dane County Sheriff's Department is offering a warning about ice conditions on area lakes and waterways.

The department responded to three reports of all-terrain vehicles breaking through the ice on Lake Kegonsa on Saturday. The riders escaped the cold waters without injury.

But department officials said that with warmer temperatures and rain, the lake ice might be thin or deteriorated.

Among the safety tips the department recommends:

Use caution near bridges and trestles, since the structures conduct heat and the ice nearby might be more dangerous.
Reduced visibility at night increases chances of driving into open water or weak ice.
Always stay with a friend who can assist you or summon help.
Wear a float suit or lifejacket and tell someone where you are and expect to return home.