Winter is a great time to get out and explore! Enjoying the outdoors in a different season can be a whole new experience! Getting out in winter however, presents its own unique hazards that anyone enjoying the outdoors should be aware of before heading out.

Know the Dangers of Hazard Areas

HCA areas include Niagara Escarpment, Lake Ontario shoreline, wetlands, ponds, lakes, creeks, streams and dams. Ice safety is more than just being aware of thin ice. The best way to enjoy a safe visit is to keep all members of the family and pets off all ice, except official skating areas, and away from cold water.

Click through each to learn more and how to stay safe.

TrailsCreeks & StreamsPondsDamsShorelines & MarinasLake Ontario Shoreline Ice Mounds

While some of our trails are maintained for winter recreation, many HCA trails travel through passive areas such as valley lands and escarpment brows. Icy conditions can exist at any time during the winter, especially in valley areas. Extreme caution should be used where the ground is uneven or near a cliff edge as icy conditions may cause slips and falls. Avoid approaching the escarpment edge where ice or snow may compromise solid footing or hide possible dangers.

Creek and stream banks should be avoided in the winter. Ice and snow make footing unpredictable, and with frequent freezes and thaws throughout the season, water flow may become a dangerous factor. Please keep all children away from creeks and streams.

Ice fishing and skating are two very popular winter activities on our ponds and smaller lakes. Do not walk out on to frozen lakes or ponds unless it is posted safe to do so. Follow all posted instructions and NEVER go out alone.

Dams pose a number of hazards, especially during winter. Dams typically have water flowing through them which prevents the formation of a thick ice sheet nearby. Ice near a dam should never be walked on. HCA offers the opportunity to walk across some of our dams as part of our trail network. Note that the walkways across dams are often very slippery and handrails should be used when crossing. Running and jogging should be avoided. Extreme care is required around dams with many hazards such as steep banks and cold water present. Never walk on any part of a dam that is not clearly marked for passage.

Lake Ontario shorelines and marinas (and any decks or boardwalks around marinas) should always be avoided during cold periods of the year with the exception of permitted ice fishing. During the fall and winter, water levels are low and this makes it very difficult for someone to climb out of the water should they fall in. Boardwalks may be icy and slippery. Even when there is no ice, the cold water is a serious hazard. Use the roadways around the area for walking.

Lake and marina ice forms sometime after mid-November and usually stays until the end of March. This ice is NOT consistent. In some places it may be 50cm thick, yet adjacent ice may only be a few centimetres thick. If it is covered by recent snow, the ice may appear the same to the unsuspecting person. Ice may come and go on a daily basis. Because of wave action on the lake, even very thick ice can be broken up by storms and is highly unpredictable.

During most winters huge mounds of ice form along parts of the Lake Ontario shoreline. They may look compelling to climb on but they are EXTREMELY dangerous. They can break apart at any time, they are very slippery and if one was to fall into the water on the lakeside of these mounds, getting out of the water is virtually impossible. STAY AWAY. Enjoy their beauty from a distance.

Dangers of Cold Water

Make no mistake: If a person enters cold water, it is a life-threatening situation. Click through to learn more.

Cold Water & HypothermiaRescue Equipment

Cold water kills. Make no mistake about it; there may be only minutes between life and death when water approaches 0 degrees Celsius. Not only must we consider the amount of time in the water that a person might be exposed to, but also the time it takes to get a person to a warm place after rescue.

Please note the location of our Hypothermia Safety Kits before venturing on to the ice. These are available at the major HCA areas. Please check for their exact location when you visit. Automatic External Defibrillators (AED’s) are also located in the major conservation areas.

Ice Factors
Many factors affect ice thickness including: type of water, location, the time of year and other environmental factors such as:

• Water depth and size of body of water
• Currents and other moving water
• Chemicals including salt
• Fluctuations in water levels
• Logs, rocks and docks absorbing heat from the sun
• Changing air temperature

We cannot stress enough the importance of leaving rescue equipment undisturbed so that it is available in the event of an emergency. Winter visitors should familiarize themselves with where the rescue equipment is located.

Ice Safety

Just because ice is present does not mean it is safe. Click through to learn more and how to stay safe.

HCA Ice Status

HCA areas are posted as safe or unsafe on site, but it is still a good idea to check before heading out.

Dogs

More than ever, dog owners should ensure their pets are on leash. Conservation Authority regulations state that dogs must be leashed at all times. If there was ever a reason to keep your dog on a leash this is it. Dog owners are often put at severe risk because they try to rescue their dog that’s wandered off and fallen through the ice or into deep water at the edge of the ice.

Top Takeaways

• Stay away from all water bodies – conditions can vary greatly and be unpredictable.
• Do not go out on ice unless posted as safe to do so.
• Keep well back from escarpment edges.
• Falling into cold water is a life threatening situation. Note the location of onsite hypothermia kits if available.
• Watch children closely and keep them away from water and escarpment edges.
• Keep pets leashed at all times for their safety and yours.

Don’t let all this information scare you off! Winter is still a beautiful time to be outdoors, but as with anything, it is important to be aware of hazards and use best practices. Make winter safety your priority, and enjoy some safe, fun, healthy activities in the great outdoors this winter season!

Some information contained within this post is copyrighted © 1999-2009 Canadian Red Cross.