Don't go skating on thin ice

The Ontario Provincial Police urges people to stay off the early-season ice.

When speaking about risky situations, the idiom "skating on thin ice" is more than true given the current dangerous ice conditions, said the OPP.

“The OPP SAVE (Snowmobile, All-terrain-vehicle, Vessel Enforcement) team speaks from recent experience,” said Sgt. Oscar Horth. “The ice is just too thin and unpredictable; even on foot, people have broken through.”

Ice safety and weight-bearing properties of ice can be affected by many factors including thickness, currents, age of the ice, pressure cracks and snow cover. Ice conditions can change dramatically from lake to lake and from bay to bay.

Children should never play on or near ice-covered bodies of water unless supervised by an experienced, safety-conscious adult who is familiar with local conditions and currents.

Visit the Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs website at www.ofsc.on.ca for up to date trail information and snowmobile safety tips.