All it takes is one misstep – stay off frozen bodies of water

While winter can bring a host of outdoor fun like skating or sledding, it’s important to remember that no bodies of water are safe, especially during colder months. The City of Mississauga reminds residents to be cautious and stay off frozen bodies of water, for their own safety and to avoid falling through ice. Ice conditions are unpredictable and can vary.

While ice may look solid, deep water, shifting temperatures and hidden weak spots make lakes, ponds, rivers and creeks unstable. Even when temperatures drop, natural ice does not freeze evenly and in many cases the ice can be too thin to support someone’s weight.

Obey posted signs and laws

Going onto frozen ponds, lakes, streams and rivers in City parks is prohibited under the City’s Parks By-law.

If you see someone venturing onto the ice at Osprey Marsh, Lake Aquitaine, Rattray March or other City stormwater ponds or drainage outfalls, call 311 (or 905‑615‑4311 outside Mississauga). Enforcement officers will respond and may take enforcement action if required.

Children and pets

Parents and pet owners should keep children and pets well away from frozen ponds, lakes, and rivers. Children and pets may not recognize the signs of unsafe ice. It is best to keep an eye on them and ensure pets are leashed near water to prevent falling through the ice.

Emergency response

Falling through ice can happen without warning. Depending on your location, it might take rescuers some time to get to you. The shock of entering icy water can cause hypothermia also most instantly.

It takes around 10 minutes for the cold to set into your cells and muscles.

What to do if you fall through the ice

Falling through the ice can be a scary and traumatic situation. If you ever find yourself in this type of situation, there are several important things to keep in mind.

• Try not to panic and stay clam – the more you exert yourself, the more tired you will become.
• Keep your nose and mouth above water. Avoid inhaling water.
• Gasping for air is normal, but you must try and control your breathing by slowing down it.
• Yell for help – Hang onto the ice and keep yelling if you can’t get out yourself.
• Stay visible to rescuers.
• Face the direction you came from and stay close to the area you fell in.
• Keep your arms on the ice to keep you stable.
• Kick your legs behind you to help push your body onto the ice.

If you can get out of the water, don’t stand up, roll yourself away from the break in the ice. This will help distribute your weight onto the ice, preventing it from breaking further.

If you can, call 911 immediately. Move to a safer area, dry off and try to keep yourself warm until help arrives.

What to do if you see someone fall through the ice

When it comes to rescuing someone else, it is important to stay calm and safe.

• Call 911 immediately.
• Find something you can throw to reach the person (e.g. life preserver ring, a stick, branch, rope).
• Talk to the person until help arrives. Keep them calm.
• Prompt them to keep their head above water and their arms on the ice.
• Encourage them to kick their feet and push their chest on the ice.
• Avoid walking on the ice and stay dry.

If they can get out of the water, dry them off as soon as possible.

Enjoy winter activities outdoors

For winter activities, choose designated, maintained spaces such as City‑run outdoor rinks or community rinks that are regularly checked for safety. These locations allow you to enjoy skating and other activities without putting yourself at risk. Staying off frozen natural bodies of water reduces the risk of emergencies and keeps everyone safer during winter.

Check out City-operated outdoor ice rinks at Mississauga Celebration Square and Woodhurst Heights Park or find a community ice rink in a park in your area. Check to see if the community ice rink in your neighbourhood is open by looking for the ‘Ice is Ready’ sign.

Your actions can prevent emergencies and save lives. Stay alert, stay safe and stay off the ice.

Tags

• Emergency and Preparedness
• Public Safety
• Weather Conditions and Warnings