Warn your children to be careful around lakes and streams

Be careful not to get too close to ice on local waterways, including this section of the Humber River on the western edge of King.

This is the time of year to be extra careful when near lakes rivers and streams, because the ice has started to melt.

York Regional Police, along with the local conservation authorities, want to make sure people don't forget that.

The police marine unit is warning residents that ice on Lake Simcoe is deteriorating and rivers and streams may be swollen and running faster than usual.

There are some areas of open water along the shorelines of Lake Simcoe and areas where the condition of the ice has changed and will continue to degrade in these temperatures. Police are advising people to be aware of the ice conditions before venturing out.

In addition, parents are urged to warn their children to stay away from lake shores, river banks and creeks and ponds. Melting ice and increasing water flows make these bodies of water fast-moving and dangerous.

As warmer temperatures arrive, stream banks become increasingly slippery and unstable, according to an advisory issued by the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA). Lake and river ice weakens, becoming thinner or with higher flows breaking with little or no warning. During this time, the potential for flooding and ice jamming is high.

Higher, faster-flowing water and extreme cold temperatures combine to create increased dangers on or near rivers, streams and ponds for people wishing to enjoy the seasonal changes.

"Spring is quickly approaching and we look forward to warmer weather and being outdoors," the Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority (LSRCA) stated in a release issued last week. "Although our winter only really began in mid January, there has been a significant build-up of snow and ice. When this melts, rivers and streams will be higher, deeper, and faster flowing."

Should heavy rainfalls occur, there is also the potential for flooding and ice jamming, LSRCA added.

Most fatalities on the water are preventable, police state, if smart choices are made up front. Each year, however, there are recreational accidents and fatalities on York waterways, often the cause of poor judgment or poor decision-making based upon inadequate information.

Police are urging residents to follow these safety tips: + Wear proper flotation attire and clothing when participating in a waterrelated activity. + Tell someone about your plans and specifically where you are going. + Know the condition of the ice or water before you go out and take into consideration the recent changes in the weather may have had on the ice. + Be suspicious of grey, dark or porous spots in the ice as these may be soft areas. Ice is generally strongest where it is hard and blue.

Remember no ice or body of water is ever completely safe. Any individual enjoying recreational activities near a body of water must make a personal decision to do so, realizing that there is a degree of risk associated with this choice. It is crucial that citizens take individual responsibility in evaluating the dangers of any recreational activity. If you make smart, educated choices on safety, accidents can be prevented.