With there finally being a decent amount of snow on the ground and temperatures cold enough to keep everything frozen, outdoor enthusiasts in London are being reminded how to play safe.
The City of London has come out with several safety tips for skaters, hockey players, and sledders. The biggest one is to stay off of stormwater management ponds.
“Due to the continuous flow of water in these ponds, the ice that forms in winter is unstable and dangerous. The ice depth varies across the pond’s surface. While ice may appear thick in some areas, other areas may have little to no ice,” the city said.
It was also noted that many of the more than 50 stormwater management ponds, typically found in newer subdivisions across the city, collect runoff from roads which may contain salt. The salt lowers the freezing temperature of the water making for unstable ice conditions.
Anyone looking to take advantage of Monday’s heavy snowfall by grabbing the sled for some tobogganing is advised to wear the appropriate safety gear, including a helmet, and be respectful of others who are out doing the same.
Designated toboggan hills maintained by the city are not supervised, so sledders need to be aware of their surroundings to ensure they don’t collide with stationary objects and others out tobogganing. Londoners are discouraged from building their own ramps.
Tobogganing at a portion of Whisperwood Park is currently restricted because of unsafe conditions, the city said.
