Ice Safety – If you don’t know, don’t go, say Police

For those looking to get out and about this weekend… Ski-doo season is starting to fire back up. To that end Police in Some communities is reminding sledders, if you don’t know don’t go. Marc Depatie is with Timmins Police and says sledders need to bide their time…

Many factors affect ice thickness including:
Type of water, Time of year, Water depth and size of the body of water, Currents, tides and other moving water, logs, rocks and docks absorbing heat from the sun, and changing air temperature.
Ice does not freeze at uniform thickness throughout the body of water. When ice forms early and may look safe, it is likely, not thick, strong or stable enough to support much weight. The thickness should be checked regularly as you move further onto the ice.
Anyone considering venturing out on ice-covered bodies of water for recreational activities should do so with an experienced outdoor enthusiast who is familiar with local conditions and water currents. Children should not play near or on ice-covered bodies of water unless supervised by an experienced, safety-conscious person.
For more information on ice, safety go to www.redcross.ca