Ice safety warning issued after scary incident in Smiths Falls

The Smiths Falls Fire Department is issuing a warning concerning ice conditions in the Smiths Falls area and advising citizens to please stay off or exercise caution before venturing out.

This warning comes following a recent emergency response involving children on the ice near open water.

The department recommends citizens complete a full inspection before venturing out, which includes a visual inspection, noting its colour, and measuring the thickness of the ice.

You can use the following guide to help.

Visual Inspection

The first step in inspecting the ice is conducting a visual inspection. During a visual inspection, do not venture onto the ice if there are any signs of weakness, such as:

Cracks, breaks, or holes in the ice
Water on top of the ice
Water flowing on the ice
Ice that’s soft and slushy
Flowing springs in spring-fed ponds or lakes
Ice that appears to have thawed and refrozen
Snow on the ice as snow acts as an insulator and can warm the ice below
Evaluating Colour of the Ice
The next step in evaluating ice conditions is evaluating the colour of the ice. There are three different colours of ice which reveal important information about ice conditions. Dull grey ice indicates unsafe ice. White or opaque ice or snow ice can be very dangerous and is often overlooked as a potential risk for safety.

The safest ice is blue ice. The colour of the ice deepens with increasing thickness and this colour of ice only forms when the temperature drops below -8 degrees Celsius.

Measuring Ice Thickness

The final step in evaluating ice conditions is to measure the thickness of the ice. Do not test the ice alone, always ensure you are using the buddy system for maximum safety.

Chip at the ice with an axe or hatchet to create a small hole (you can also use an ice auger or spud bar) then measure the thickness of the ice in different locations.

Canadian Red Cross recommendations for minimum ice thicknesses are as follows:

Single person: 15 centimetres (six inches)
Group of people: 20 centimetres (eight inches)
Sled or snowmobile: 25 centimetres (10 inches)
Automobile: 30 centimetres (12 inches)
Other safety protocols include not venturing out on the ice at night, telling someone where you are going and what time you expect to return, wearing appropriate clothing, and bringing equipment for safety and comfort.