Danger Thin Ice!
Please talk to your kids about the dangers of ice!
As temperatures drop and ice begins to form, Winnipeg first responders are reminding residents to use extreme caution around all Winnipeg waterways, including drainage ditches, culverts, streams, creeks, retention ponds, and especially our rivers.
“Ice is starting to form on the surface of all bodies of water and the ice thickness is completely unpredictable at this time of year,” said Assistant Chief Mark Reshaur, Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service (WFPS). “All residents should stay away from these surfaces and their banks.”
Ice surfaces are thin and fragile and falling into ice-cold water can be deadly.
Parents, Grandparents, and teachers are urged to speak to children and students about the dangers of waterways.
“The WPS considers all frozen bodies of water within the city of Winnipeg to be unsafe for recreational use with the exception of areas that are monitored in accordance with the City’s Frozen Waterways By-Law.”
This includes Dog owners!
Dogs should be kept on leashes around the ice to prevent them from, among other things, chasing geese onto thin ice.
“Staying away from the riverbanks, and off of any thin ice, is the only way to prevent the dire consequences of falling through,” said Patrol Sergeant Jason English, River Patrol Supervisor for the Winnipeg Police Service (WPS).
The public is also reminded that while the WPS River Patrol Unit places “Danger - Thin Ice” signage at specific locations including outfalls, retention ponds and other potentially dangerous areas - ALL ice should be considered unsafe even if warning signage is not present.