Tis the season for outdoor winter activities, but with fluctuating weather, ice safety should be at the top of your mind.

Lesley-Anne Morley, Water Safety Representative with the Canadian Red Cross, said given the swing from warm to cold to warm in Airdrie, staying off the ice might be the best option.

"When it comes to ice in the winter, especially in an area where you've had weather that's been warmer to cold to warmer, you're best bet is always just avoid the ice because that kind of weather pattern really weakens the ice structure."

Morley said you should avoid ice on running water like rivers and creeks. For ponds, you can partially tell the strength by the colour. Clear blue ice is the strongest, white opaque or snowy ice is half as strong, and grey ice is unsafe as it indicates the presence of water.

According to the Red Cross, ice should be at least 15 centimeters (or 6 inches) thick if you are skating by yourself, and 20 centimeters (or 8 inches) if you're out with a group. As of January 3, ice is 16.5 inches thick at Nose Creek, 11.5 inches thick at Waterstone and 13.5 inches thick at Summerhill.

If you are out by yourself and fall in, Morley said the first thing you should do is call for help before you get too cold. Then, you should break off any weak ice around where you've fallen in so that you don't keep sinking while trying to get out of the water. It's very important to keep your head above water as best you can so you don't get trapped under the ice.

"Then you're going to try to get yourself on top of the ice and using your elbows, try to dig yourself and stay low on the ice until you pull yourself out, until your legs are out, and then you're going to roll away towards the surface. Do not stand up again until you're as close to the shore as possible."

Other tips from Morley include never going out on ice by yourself, so someone else is around to help you if you do fall in, and you should also keep something like a branch nearby to grab onto and help you get out. She also had this advice. 

"One of the tips that people don't always realize or think about, especially if you're going out with younger children but adults as well, is actually wear a life jacket over top of your winter coat or underneath it. It actually adds extra insulation, but if you happen to fall into the ice it will help you float a little bit better."

 

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