Some kids fell through thin ice Friday night prompting a rash of calls by Durham officials reminding residents that the region is not experiencing a “normal” winter and that “no ice is safe ice”.
Mark Berney, Scugog Fire Chief tweeted: “Last night kids went through ice on a pond in @TwpofScugog. Fortunately they were able to self rescue. This could have been devastating. Parents, PLEASE have the conversation, stay off the ice and stay home. #StayHomeStaySafe.”
No further details were available.
Earlier Ontario Provincial Police East Region said a 23 year old Belleville resident died last weekend after falling through ice on the Bay of Quinte. “PLEASE stay off the ice unless you KNOW the thickness. This has not been a ‘normal’ winter.”
Durham Regional Police Central East Division called on residents to: “Please be careful around bodies of water. You might think it’s frozen solid but it isn’t safe unless you know how thick the ice is. You’re putting your own life in jeopardy and the lives of the first responders who come to rescue you!”
Clarington Municipality pointed out that stormwater retention ponds are never safe for skating. Ice conditions can change quickly and without warning. Winter runoff, including salt and sand from roads, driveways and sidewalks enters under the ice surface causing the ice to thin.
Pickering Fire Services is urging residents to pay special attention to icy regions and frozen bodies of water. During the winter months, lakes and local watercourses may not be completely frozen, making them dangerous for residents to skate, walk, play, or ice fish on. In Pickering, fluctuating temperatures, water composition, movement of water under ice, weeds, and other factors, negatively affect ice quality, said a city statement.
Venturing out – even on ice that appears thick – is extremely hazardous. According to the Royal Lifesaving Society, approximately 35% of drownings in Canada occur from October to April. These drownings often take place around bodies of water that appear to be frozen but aren’t strong enough to support the weight of one or more people.
“No ice is safe ice,” says Fire Chief John Hagg. “Make smart choices and always take precautions around frozen bodies of water. It doesn’t matter how strong of a swimmer you think you are – cold water can quickly rob you of your ability to move your limbs.”
Pickering Safety Tips:
- Carry a cellphone to report emergencies
- Monitor changes in conditions (i.e. temperature, precipitation, etc.)
- Avoid ice that appears slushy, partially thawed, refrozen, or moving
- Never go on ice alone, tell someone where you are going, and when you are expected to return
- Parents should supervise children and pets around bodies of water at all times
If you are by yourself and fall through thin ice:
- Call for help
- Resist the immediate urge to climb back out from where you fell in, as the ice has proven to be weak
- Use the air trapped in your clothing to get into a floating position on your stomach.
- Reach forward on to the broken ice without pushing down. Kick your legs to push your torso on the ice
- When you are back on the ice, crawl on your stomach or roll away from the open area with your arms and legs spread out as far as possible, to evenly distribute your body weight. Do not stand up!
- Look for shore and make sure you are going in the right direction.
The City of Pickering does not identify places for safe skating, nor does it mark potential hazards. If someone falls through the ice, witnesses should call 911 immediately. Pickering firefighters have the training and equipment to perform ice and water rescues.
Know the dangers of ice
Ice Factors
Many factors affect ice thickness including: type of water, location, the time of year and other environmental factors such as:
- Water depth and size of body of water.
- Currents, tides and other moving water.
- Chemicals including salt.
- Fluctuations in water levels.
- Logs, rocks and docks absorbing heat from the sun.
- Changing air temperature.
- Shock waves from vehicles traveling on the ice.
Ice Colour
- The colour of ice may be an indication of its strength.
- Clear blue ice is strongest.
- White opaque or snow ice is half as strong as blue ice. Opaque ice is formed by wet snow freezing on the ice.
- Grey ice is unsafe. The grayness indicates the presence of water.
Did you know ice thickness should be:
- 15 cm for walking or skating alone
- 20 cm for skating parties or games
- 25 cm for snowmobiles.
Check with local authorities before heading out. Avoid going out on ice at night.
When You Are Alone On Ice
If you get into trouble on ice and you’re by yourself:
- Call for help.
- Resist the immediate urge to climb back out where you fell in. The ice is weak in this area.
- Try to relax and catch your breath. Turn yourself toward shore so you are looking at where you entered onto the ice. The ice is more stable close to shore.
- Reach forward onto the broken ice without pushing down. Kick your legs to try to get your body into a horizonal position.
- Continue kicking your legs, and crawl onto the ice.
- When you are back on the ice, crawl on your stomach or roll away from the open area with your arms and legs spread out as far as possible to evenly distribute your body weight. Do not stand up! Look for shore and make sure you are crawling in the right direction.
When You Are With Others On Ice
- Rescuing another person from ice can be dangerous. The safest way to perform a rescue is from shore.
- Call for help. Consider whether you can quickly get help from trained professionals (police, fire fighters or ambulance) or bystanders.
- Check if you can reach the person using a long pole or branch from shore – if so, lie down and extend the pole to the person.
- If you go onto ice, wear a PFD and carry a long pole or branch to test the ice in front of you. Bring something to reach or throw to the person (e.g. pole, weighted rope, line or tree branch).
- When near the break, lie down to distribute your weight and slowly crawl toward the hole.
- Remaining low, extend or throw your emergency rescue device (pole, rope, line or branch) to the person.
- Have the person kick while you pull them out.
Move the person to a safe position on shore or where you are sure the ice is thick. Signal for help.
