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.
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.
Ottawa Police reminds everyone to remain vigilant when outside near area waterways as we expect increased temperatures.
