Cold snap doesn't mean watercourses are fully frozen, Essex County OPP warn
'No ice is safe ice,' according to provincial police
Despite a cold snap across southwestern Ontario, provincial police in Essex County say not all watercourses have fully frozen.
The OPP says the thickness of ice beneath your boots can be deceiving on lakes, ponds or reservoirs.
They're warning people to "exercise extreme caution."
"Ice can be affected by many factors, including temperature, currents, age of the ice, pressure cracks and snow cover," police said in an online statement.
And while they say no ice-related rescues have happened yet in Essex County, when they do happen, they put the lives of many first responders at "great risk."
Their message: "No ice is safe ice."
Authorities say the water is cold enough to take your breath away if you fall in.
"Once submerged, your arms and leg go numb, which make it impossible to swim. It also leads to hypothermia due to the reduction of body heat, with the possibility of heart failure. This can happen to anyone, even if you are a strong swimmer."
If you're adamant about venturing out on any ice, police suggest carrying survival items such as flares, flashlights, whistles, a fully-charged phone, GPS or a compass. Also, avoid being inebriated, they say.