Public Service Announcement

Safety First with Outdoor Skating

(January 26, 2011) With the recent cold snap, the latest round of ice thickness testing by HRM shows many of the surfaces past the safety reading for individual skating and some for group skating as per Red Cross recommendations. However, the surfaces across the region remain variable and citizens should be wary with temperatures headed back up at the end of this week. Ice surfaces were just inspected over the last few days.

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.

-30-

Contact:

Shaune MacKinlay, Manager
HRM Public Affairs
490-6531