While freezing temperatures may have drawn skaters and ice fishing enthusiasts onto local waterways earlier this winter, recent weather swings are now prompting a renewed warning from the St. Thomas Fire Department.
In a social media post this past weekend, the department reminded residents that “No Ice Is Safe Ice,” citing recent temperature fluctuations and rapidly changing weather conditions.
Officials say all bodies of water, including ponds and stormwater management areas, must be treated with extreme caution. Ice that appears solid on the surface may be dangerously thin or unstable underneath, with conditions capable of changing quickly and without warning.
In a past interview, Chief Fire Prevention Officer Kim Destun stressed the importance of understanding the risks before heading out near frozen water.
Destun also offered several safety tips for those spending time near waterways.
And if someone does fall through the ice, she cautioned against attempting a rescue yourself.
The City of St. Thomas does not monitor or confirm ice thickness on any body of water within city limits and cannot guarantee that any ice surface is safe for recreational activities.
Written by: Kennedy Freeman
