Public Service Announcement

Safety First with Outdoor Skating

 

(January 25, 2012) – The winter weather in HRM this year has been a mix of freeze and thaw making it difficult for lakes to freeze and create sustainable ice conditions for safe outdoor skating.

The latest round of ice thickness testing by HRM shows many of the surfaces still not achieving the safety reading as per Red Cross recommendations. Ice surfaces across the region remain variable and citizens should be wary with the fluctuating temperatures.

The Red Cross recommends ice be 15 centimetres thick for individual skating and 21 centimetres thick for group skating. Ice thickness testing is randomly done on each lake and gives a general average of conditions, which can vary over the entire surface. HRM urges individuals to use extreme caution in areas where streams flow in and out of lakes.

For updated results, call the ice line at 490-3577. The information is updated on a weekly basis. Results are also posted at www.halifax.ca under Ice Thickness Reports. This service is provided with the understanding that anyone using the lakes does so at their own risk. HRM tests approximately 80 lakes and ponds.

 

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Contact:
Michaelyn Thompson
HRM Communications
490-5940

thompsom@halifax.ca