The Prince Edward County Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) is urging the public to exercise extreme caution when venturing onto frozen lakes and rivers this winter. While the ice may seem safe, temperature changes or fresh snow can easily conceal thin spots, making ice unsafe.
OPP officers remind everyone that “no ice is safe ice,” and safety should always come first. They advise wearing thermal protection suits or lifejackets, never going onto the ice alone, and informing someone of your plans. It’s also important to avoid ice near moving water or thawed and refrozen areas. The OPP encourages those heading out onto the ice to carry a personal safety kit, including a rope, whistle, compass, and ice picks.
Ice conditions can change rapidly, and the lives of both individuals and first responders can be at risk. For more information on ice safety, visit the Royal Lifesaving Society’s website.
Written by Emily Chatwood
