Oakville fire chief reminds residents of ice safety this winter
Published December 29, 2021 at 5:17 pm
Oakville Fire Chief Paul Boissoneault is reminding local residents to stay away from frozen bodies of water this winter.
In a short video filmed at Memorial Park and released on the Town of Oakville’s social media sites, Boissoneault asked parents to caution their children the ice could be unstable.
The local fire chief is asking that residents never skate, walk or toboggan on frozen bodies of water and instead make the “safe and smart choice” by staying off the ice this winter.
Boissoneault talked about stormwater ponds and how they are extremely dangerous.
Please never skate, walk or toboggan on frozen bodies of water as the ice could be unstable. Make the safe and smart choice by staying off of the ice this winter.
Ice safety reminder: https://t.co/oVcpjJrpE0
— Town of Oakville (@townofoakville) December 29, 2021
“Factors such as flowing water, air temperature, road runoff, sun, wind and snow all impact the overall thickness of ice,” he said in the video (below). “Stormwater ponds were never created with the intention of using them for recreational use. They’re inlets and outlets that all effect the temperature of the water underneath the surface of the ice.
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“Though the ice may look safe, it’s not. It’s easy for a child, pet or adult to fall through the ice.
Boissoneault said hypothermia and drowning can happen in moments.
“I really want to remind parents, please talk to your children about staying safe and to stay away from shorelines of stormwater ponds, rivers, flood canals and any body of water,” the fire chief explained. “We want you to enjoy the winter activity recreational facets of the winter, but please stay safe and stay off the ice.”
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