It’s no secret that many residents are rejoicing the end of the bitter cold here in Airdrie. With temperatures in the low to mid many people are heading outdoors after what was a very cold February and start of March.

But, with the warming also comes the melting and that has firefighters asking people to stay off the ice on ponds, creeks and canals.

Deputy Fire Chief Linda Masson said storm ponds can be some of the most dangerous places this time of year.

“Water could either be moving underneath, which challenges the stability of the ice, or because the water is full of lots of runoff and silt it doesn’t freeze as solid as other ice may,” she explained.

Masson is advising people to talk with their children about ice safety, and adds that keeping your pets away from unstable ice surfaces is also very important.

“Keep them on a leash if you’re walking by the ice so they don’t run out and put you in a situation you don’t want to be in.”