As we enter the colder months, it’s important to remember to stay off retention ponds in Milton.
Milton Fire Chief Peter Gatto took some time out of his busy schedule to touch on this. He says residents are known to skate on the stormwater management ponds. That’s a dangerous thing to do.
Last December, an 11-year-old boy fell through the ice on a retention pond in Milton.
Gatto explains why the moving water and chemicals from nearby roads impact the consistency of the ice on stormwater management ponds.
The Town of Milton sought to change the public’s view on retention ponds this past year. Milton Council passed a motion to install new safety signs around the ponds in our community. Read about those signs here.
In March, we also covered why skating on Mill Pond is a bad idea. Halton Police Constable Ryan Anderson said at the time that it’s actually not legal to skate on the pond as it’s unsafe.
In February, the Town of Milton and Milton Fire Department teamed up for an ice safety campaign. A list of tips was provided for the campaign:
- Keep family members and pets away from all bodies of water;
- Don’t follow pets or people on the ice or attempt to rescue – call 911 for assistance; and,
- Avoid recreational activities in or around waterways and check with your local municipality for alternative outdoor skating opportunities.
The Town of Milton confirmed at the time that there weren’t any sanctioned outdoor rinks for residents to play on. That means that you are running the risk of falling through thin ice everytime you go out to skate or play. Gatto says that if you see someone on the ice, you should ask them to get off.
What should you do if you fall through the ice? Watch the video below for advice: