Stay off the ice, OPP urge

(SIOUX LOOKOUT, ON) – The OPP urges people to stay off the ice. 

Although it may look stable, all ice surfaces are becoming dangerous with the extreme temperature fluctuations.  Also, ice is never safe because it can be a foot thick in one area on a lake, and it can be one inch thick just a few yards away. 

Don't assume a very cold snap will be safe. This can actually render the ice brittle and liable to breakage much faster than a warm spell.  Once the ice starts to melt, the thickness of the ice can vary greatly and it becomes difficult to determine if the ice is safe.  Think in terms of temperature rather than dates when deciding if ice is safe. If the ice was safe in April last year, this doesn’t mean it will be safe in April this year.

Ice that has formed over flowing water, springs, pressure cracks, old ice holes or around the mouths of rivers and streams may be weaker.  Ice can erode from the bottom up leaving you no obvious warning signs of weakness.  Do not travel over ice-covered water in late winter when conditions are more dangerous. 

Parents are encouraged to talk to their children about the dangers of thin ice and to keep children away from lakes, ditches and rivers. If you see anyone, especially children, playing on the ice or near dangerous water, call the Ontario Provincial Police at 1-888-310-1122.

In case of an emergency, call 911.

REMEMBER: NO ICE IS SAFE ICE.