Know Your Ice!

Knowing how thick the ice is before venturing onto it is a must. To give you a little information about estimating ice thickness, Canada’s Lifeguarding Experts recommend a minimum 4 inches for walking, 6 inches for a snowmobile and a further 8-12 inches for a vehicle.

Mayor Rick Bonnette says, “Pay attention to weather reports, media warnings and municipal warning signage posted in various locations around the lake”. The Mayor also adds, “If you don’t see anybody else on the lake, that may be an indicator that the ice just isn’t safe yet”.

Ice on area lakes and ponds, and in particular, Fairy Lake in Acton may still not be thick enough for people to safely be out on. Fairy Lake has open-water areas for the waterfowl and the Mill Street dam which all make a number of areas very dangerous to be near. While the lake is known as a very popular spot for snowmobiles, walkers and hockey players, children and adults alike must heed the warning signs. Children are a little less wary and are fairly eager to get onto the ice for a number of reasons. Using the lake as a shortcut to school or home is not a safe alternative to the sidewalk. Taking a few extra minutes to walk around the lake could be a lifesaver. Be patient and allow the ice to thicken up before starting up the shinny-hockey season, snowmobiling or drilling those holes for ice-fishing. Now is a great opportunity for parents to have a family chat about the dangers of unsafe ice conditions, water temperatures and hypothermia.

Year after year, tragedies and near tragedies occur because of people heading onto lakes and rivers before the ice is thick enough to safely support them and/or their vehicles. Look first, think twice, choose smart!

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