With longer days comes extra sunshine, warmth, and melting ice.
While the warmth makes it more enjoyable to be outdoors, Alberta Fish and Wildlife are encouraging everyone to be safe while around thin ice and open water.
Fish and Wildlife advise people to keep an eye out for signs of thin or weak ice on lakes, especially on lakes that had aeration projects to help minimize how many fish were being killed due to severe winter conditions.
If heading out onto ice is on the agenda, it is best to avoid ice that is near open water, and extra caution is required on river or stream ice, as the ice thickness and strength can vary from area to area, due to temperature, water current, springs, snow cover, and the time of year.
When walking out onto the ice, make sure it is at least 10 cm (4 inches) thick, and if you are taking a vehicle out onto the ice, Alberta Fish and Wildlife suggest to make sure the ice is at least 30 cm (12 inches) thick.
If unsure about the state of the ice, don't go out onto it.
When driving a vehicle onto ice, it's advised to take the seat belt off, open the window a crack, and partially unlatch the door, so it can be opened quickly.
It's also best to have a shovel and tow rope in the vehicle, in case of emergencies, and either nails or spikes in a pocket.
The nails and spikes can be used to help pull yourself out if you fall through the ice.
On top of that, if you are driving behind someone on ice, don't follow too closely, and don't park near other vehicles on ice, because the ice can bend and break with the added weight of people and vehicles.
Also, keep an eye on the condition of ice and snow, because if the weather has been warm, or if heavy snow has depressed the ice, there could be hidden slush that can cause a vehicle to become stuck.
If you have fallen through the ice and into the water, exit the vehicle immediately, go to the edge of the ice and break through to find the ice that can support your weight.
Once there, crawl on your belly, spreading your weight as far as possible.
Once out of the water, immediately go find a place to warm up and remove the wet clothing, even if that means going to the shore and starting a fire.
Hypothermia can set in quickly and can leave people helpless.
To learn more about ice safety, click here.