No Ice is Safe Ice - Stay Away from Icy Waterways this Winter

Whether you are a little kid or a big kid, you know the feeling of crunching your heel into a freshly frozen puddle. So satisfying. Like the kids of yesteryear, the wee ones of this generation may be just as tempted to explore the bigger bodies of water for fun. Yikes!

Peel Regional Police wants you to remind your family, friends and anyone else seen playing around these icy bodies of water this winter that ‘No Ice is Safe Ice’. Here in Ontario, we have really cold days mixed with much warmer ones, so when ice forms on lakes, rivers and ponds they become unpredictable and very dangerous.

Many of you enjoy winter activities such as snowshoeing, snowmobiling, fishing and pond skating in Northern Ontario, but do you know what to do if you accidentally fall through ice? Watch how the Peel Regional Police Marine Unit train to rescue people who have fallen through ice.

When out enjoying winter activities on a larger body of water you should always:

• Have at least one other person present
• Wear clothing in layers (wool insulates even when wet) include a toque and mitts
• Attach a whistle to your coat
• Bring a safety kit that includes: first aid kit, matches in a water proof container and lightweight rope
• Inform someone at home the location and details of this excursion
• Bring high energy snacks
• Become familiar with and recognize the signs of Hypothermia
• Avoid the use of alcohol (it clouds judgement)

 In the event that you do fall through the ice you should:

• Catch your breath and try to relax
• Call/whistle for help
• Avoid climbing out at the exact spot you fell in, it’s weaker there
• Reach forward horizontally on the ice while you kick your legs, rather than pushing down onto the weak ice
• Continue kicking your legs while you crawl on the ice in the direction closest to shore
• Don’t stand up, crawl/roll until you get to shore
• If you can’t get out, cross your arms over your chest and draw your knees up

 For more information about ice safety, please visit Canadian Red Cross Ice Safety.

 Let us enjoy winter activities safely this winter. Remember: No Ice is Safe Ice.