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As spring temperatures begin to climb across eastern Ontario, fire officials in Smiths Falls are reminding residents that ice conditions can change quickly and become dangerous.
Smiths Falls Fire Prevention Officer Jason Smith says fluctuating temperatures and spring rain can weaken ice in a matter of hours, even if it appears solid near shore.
Smith says warming weather often creates uneven ice conditions, especially on rivers or areas where water currents run underneath the surface.
Ice that looks thick near the shoreline can become much thinner just a few steps farther out, making it unpredictable for people walking, fishing or exploring.
Fire officials say the safest option during the spring thaw is to stay off the ice entirely.
Smith says those who still choose to go out should take extra precautions and let someone know where they are going and when they expect to return.
Officials also urge residents to keep pets on a leash and avoid areas near stormwater ponds, rivers and streams, where ice melts faster.