Jan 9, 2005 Ice unsafe, police warn

Ice unsafe, police warnJan 9, 2005

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Look before you leap.
That's the message from the York Regional Police, which is warning unseasonably warm weather over the past couple of weeks means lakes and streams are not safe.
"Right now we're saying don't go out. No ice is safe," marine unit Const. Stephen McCullough said. "It's going to take a good week of -10-degree temperatures for it to freeze over and we haven't had that yet."
There are still many areas of open water on Lake Simcoe and ice anglers and snowmobilers should be aware conditions are still dangerous, he said.
Areas like Cook's Bay may have five inches of ice in some spots, but others are as thin as one to two inches.
"Until we can say it's seven or eight inches of ice I wouldn't say it's safe," Const. McCullough added.
Every year, there are recreational ice-related accidents and fatalities on York Region waterways, often because of poor judgment or decision-making based upon inadequate information.
"People are out there risking their lives and as a result we have to go out and risk ours," Const. McCullough said.
The ice fishing season officially began Jan. 1 and people are advised to check with ice hut operators.