Don’t Get Caught on Thin Ice

It’s that time of year where an old fashioned game of shinny or other activities on the local pond becomes a great temptation to many adults and children. It is way too early to be venturing out onto what may appear to be safe ice. Fairy Lake is very popular, but with the dam and other locations open for the waterfowl, open-water areas do exist in a number of locations. The Halton Hills Fire Protection and Prevention Services would like to remind everyone to obey the signs and warnings about staying off the ice.

Children are a little less wary and are fairly eager to get onto the ice for a number of reasons. Whether it is to use the lake as a shortcut to school or home, the ice is not a safe alternative to the sidewalk. This is an opportune time for a mealtime chat between parents and kids about the dangers of thin ice.

Ice fishing enthusiasts and snowmobilers need to be patient ensuring the lake has completely frozen over. Over the course of the winter we read about a snowmobile through the ice or ice fishing accidents in Ontario. Too many chances are taken thinking that the ice will support their weight as well as their machines. Year after year, drownings occur because people venture out onto the lakes and ponds too early in the season. It is also a common occurrence to venture onto these areas at night with little to no visibility of open water.

Pay attention to weather reports, media warnings, municipal warning signs and if nobody else is out there, maybe that is saying something as well.

To give you a little information about estimating ice thickness, Canada’s Lifeguarding Experts recommend a minimum 4 inches for walking, 6 inches for snowmobile and a further minimum 8-12 inches for a vehicle.

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