News Flash

Rarely does it get cold enough, for a long enough period of time in this area for the ice to become strong enough to support the weight of a person. Parents, please remind your children to stay off the frozen water!   Dog owners must be careful around frozen water and should not throw sticks or balls onto the ice. 

Should a dog go onto the ice and get into difficulty, don't attempt to carry out a rescue. If a pet or person gets in trouble on the ice on a frozen pond or lake, call 911 immediately!

Safety advice - what do you do if you see someone fall through the ice:

Never venture onto frozen ponds and lakes, no matter how safe it looks!

If you see someone fall through the ice:

1. Shout for help and send someone to DIAL 911
2. Stay off the ice 
3. Shout to the victim to keep still 
4. Try and reach them from the bank using a rope, pole, a tree branch, clothing tied together or anything else that extends your reach 
5. When reaching for the bank, lie down to avoid being pulled onto the ice 
6. If you cannot reach them, slide something that floats like a rescue buoy across the ice for them to hold on to stay afloat 
7. If the victim is out of reach, wait for the 911 units, while calming and reassuring them

After the victim has been rescued from the ice:

1. Make sure the 911 is on its way 
2. Lay them flat, check their breathing and pulse and begin resuscitation if necessary 
3. Prevent them from getting colder by putting them in a sleeping bag or covering them including their head, with blankets or spare clothing 
4. Get them under shelter out of the cold 
5. Until the victim is in a warm place do not undress them 
6. Do not rub their skin, apply hot water or give an alcoholic drink 
7. Keep them wrapped up so that they warm up gradually

If you fall through the ice:

1. Keep calm and call for help 
2. If no help is available spread your arms across the surface of the ice 
3. If the ice is strong enough kick your legs and slide onto the ice 
4. Lie flat and pull yourself to the bank 
5. If the ice is very thin, break it in front of you and make your way to the shore 
6. If you cannot climb out, wait for help keeping as still as possible 
7. Press your arms by your side and keep your legs together 
8. Once you are safe, call 911 and go to the Emergency Department to be evaluated