The Airdrie Fire Department is reminding Airdronians about ice safety with the recent warm weather.

Airdrie has a total of 55 stormwater ponds, and according to James Kostuk, Deputy Chief of Fire Prevention and Public Education, you should stay off of them at all times.

Stormwater ponds hold water that the culvert systems around the city can't hold if major flooding is happening.

"There's often underwater currents that people can't see from water coming out of the culverts. Those create warm spots and create unstable ice which is easy to fall through," stated Kostuk.

According to the city, all stormwater ponds are supposed to have signage reminding Airdronians to stay off of them.

"A lot of the ice in Airdrie is unpredictable and you can't base the safety of it just off the thickness. We do remind people that any ice surface in the city, it's better to not go on it." 

Kostuk finished off by saying if you do find somebody or a pet that has fallen through the ice, do not try to rescue them, call 911.

Cory Anderson, who is with the City of Airdrie Parks Department stated they check the depth of the natural ice surfaces that people do enjoy skating on, those include Nose Creek Pond, Summerhill and Waterstone. Anderson also mentioned being careful when it comes to the other outdoor rinks around town as with the recent warm weather, the ice is melting.

With the colder weather on the way, Anderson does hope the rinks will be able to freeze over once again and stay that way for Airdronians enjoyment.

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