Weekly Safety Share #50 - Ice Safety Tips
As crews begin working southward from the communities, we must emphasize that the winter road is closed to all public access. For your safety and the safety of our crews, it is critical that everyone stays off the Right of Way until the road is officially opened. Unauthorized access not only puts lives at risk but also disrupts the construction process.
Our professional crews take every precaution during ice road construction, utilizing advanced equipment like ice profilers and developing detailed safety plans to ensure the road is completed safely and efficiently. This work paves the way for us to enjoy the recreational activities we look forward to during this time of year. While we wait for the ice to be ready and safe for recreational use, here are some important safety tips to keep in mind.
The safe ice thickness varies depending on the activity and the number of people. This is the minimum thickness that will be strong enough not to crack under your feet. It is essential to learn about the thickness before rushing to the center of the lake. While six inches is the accepted safe mark, authorities routinely stress that measurements can fluctuate across lakes and residents should exercise caution whenever stepping out onto lakes. Activities like snowmobiling are usually said to require 10 inches’ ice thickness or more.
The City of Yellowknife Fire Division strongly recommends that you stay off the ice until it measures 6 inches thick. Please be careful when traveling on the ice, especially in a vehicle or on a machine, and keep these tips in mind:
- Be aware of your surroundings
- Travel with a partner
- Carry dry clothing and an emergency kit including matches
- If travelling in a group (when snowmobiling), spread out when stopped (to spread the weight across the ice sheet)
- Carry a form of communication to call for help if your breakthrough the ice
- Stay off the rivers; flowing water under the ice creates very thin ice even in cold temperatures
- Leave a travel plan behind and an expected return date/time
A guide to safe ice thicknesses
Always remember If you are unsure of the ice thickness, drill a test hole or stay off the ice.
Please call 9-1-1 or 873-2222 if you see that someone has fallen through the ice or is in distress.
Enjoy, stay dry, and be Safe.