Spring is coming; the ice is not safe

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Wednesday, March 6, 2024  11:00 am

(Ottawa)—With the spring season fast approaching, the Ottawa Police Marine Dive and Trails (MDT) Unit urges residents to exercise caution when approaching bodies of water.

With spring-like temperatures, ice is quickly melting and becoming more unstable. In the past two weeks, multiple 9-1-1 calls have been received regarding people or animals venturing out onto the ice.

The MDT Unit is offering safety advice to keep Ottawa residents out of danger: 

• Ice is inherently dangerous at this time of year and is always unpredictable. Stay away from open bodies of water. 
• Always supervise children playing outside who may wander or want to play near rivers, ponds, creeks, or ditches etc. A child can drown in less than two inches of water.
• Falling into water at this time of year can lead to hypothermia and death. 
• Cold water temperatures at this time of year can prevent even strong swimmers from escaping once they’ve fallen through the ice.

If someone, or a pet, ventures onto a frozen waterway that may be dangerous, do not follow them. Call 9-1-1 for help.

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Through the Community Safety Data portal data.ottawapolice.ca, members of the public can view, download, and interact with data released by Ottawa Police Service.

CONTACT:

Media Relations Section

Tel: 613-236-1222, ext. 5366