Calgary, AB,
15
January
2014
|
15:16
America/Denver

Beware of outdoor ice surfaces, warns Calgary Fire Department

 

 

 

With favourable temperatures forecasted this weekend, it is expected that many Calgarians will be enjoying a variety of outdoor winter activities. The Calgary Fire Department would like to remind Calgarians that ice surfaces can be very deceiving and dangerous this time of year - especially with the fluctuations in weather conditions.

"We have had several calls over the last few days of people venturing out onto unsafe ice surfaces and it is very concerning to us," said Calgary Fire Department Public Information Officer Carol Henke. "Although these calls have been concentrated to the south part of the city, we would like to remind all Calgarians that ice conditions can be quite dangerous."

Because of Calgary's changing weather conditions, the Calgary Fire Department recommends the following safety tips, particularly around lakes, ponds or waterways that have frozen.

  • Always keep a safe distance from river banks and lake shores, especially when you can see ice in the water or around shores and banks
  • Do not walk on ice-covered lakes, ponds, rivers or waterways - it is difficult to assess if the ice is thick enough to hold the weight of a person or animal, so it is best to stay off.
  • Keep children and pets from walking on ice-covered lakes, ponds, rivers or waterways.
  • If a person or an animal falls through ice into water, call 9-1-1. Do not attempt to rescue them yourself.

IF you do fall through the ice and into the water, the Calgary Fire Department advises you to stay calm and keep your head out of the water. Remember to call for help and keep your hands on the ice shelf and try to:

  • Control your breathing
  • Pull yourself up on the ice onto your stomach and roll toward shore where the ice may be thicker; and
  • If you can't get out of the water in less than 10 minutes, stop kicking, try to pull yourself out, and anchor yourself to the ice shelf. Continue to call for help.

If you witness someone on ice or falling through ice into the water, please stay back and call for help, call 9-1-1 and ask for the Calgary Fire Department.  Encourage the person in the water to kick and pull – kick their legs while trying to pull themselves out of the water. If the person is able to get out of the water and is still on ice, tell them to roll towards the shore, not to walk. Reach or throw an aid such as a branch, hockey stick, or rope. 

To safely enjoy activities on ice, visit the City of Calgary’s Recreation arenas or have fun on one of the many outdoor rinks, which are run by the City of Calgary, volunteers or community associations. To find out more, visit www.calgary.ca/CSPS/Parks

For more information about the Calgary Fire Department’s winter safety tips, visit: www.calgary.ca/CSPS/Fire .