Winter safety

Areas with frozen lakes, ponds, channels and reservoirs can be beautiful places to visit during the winter months but all too often many people risk their lives by venturing onto frozen water. It’s important to be aware of the dangers and risks associated with water and ice at this time of year.

Outdoor skating 

Throughout winter months, skating is prohibited on bodies of water such as stormwater management ponds and channels.

Other ways to protect yourself outdoors this winter

  • Inform others of your destination and expected time of return
  • Check weather conditions
  • Dress in layers to protect against hypothermia (decreased body temperature)

If you see someone fall through the ice call 911 immediately. Do not try to go out on to the ice to help them.

Pets

Please keep your pets on a leash when walking near ice-covered water. Pets are not aware of the hidden danger of falling through the ice. If your pet does happen to get loose on the ice, coax it back to shore - do not go after it. If your pet falls through the ice call 911 immediately. Do not attempt to rescue your pet yourself. Milton Fire & Rescue Services will respond with ice rescue equipment and attempt to rescue your pet.

Stormwater management ponds

Areas with frozen lakes, ponds, channels and reservoirs can be beautiful places to visit during the winter months but all too often many people risk their lives by venturing onto frozen water. It’s important to be aware of the dangers and risks associated with water and ice at this time of year.

Stormwater management ponds

The Town of Milton does not monitor ice conditions on storm water management ponds. It is dangerous to walk, play or skate on any ice surface that has areas of open water. Stormwater management ponds are unsafe for skating, tobogganing, and ice hockey for a number of reasons:

  • Due to the continuous flow of water in these ponds, the ice that forms in winter is unstable
  • The ice depth varies across the pond’s surface
  • Many ponds collect road runoff that may contain salt, which lowers the freezing temperature of the water

Please stay off stormwater management ponds at all times.

Pets

Please keep your pets on a leash when walking near ice-covered water. Pets are not aware of the hidden danger of falling through the ice. If your pet does happen to get loose on the ice, coax it back to shore - do not go after it. If your pet falls through the ice call 911 immediately. Do not attempt to rescue your pet yourself. Milton Fire & Rescue Services will respond with ice rescue equipment and attempt to rescue your pet.

Outdoor skating 

Throughout winter months, skating is prohibited on bodies of water such as stormwater management ponds and channels.

Other ways to protect yourself outdoors this winter

  • Inform others of your destination and expected time of return
  • Check weather conditions
  • Dress in layers to protect against hypothermia (decreased body temperature)

If you see someone fall through the ice call 911 immediately. Do not try to go out on to the ice to help them. 

More information about winter water safety can be found on the Life Saving Society website.

Summer safety

Fireworks and open air fires can be expected during the warmer months while residents spend time in the outdoors. Though these activities are fun and enjoyable, each comes with its own set of risks and hazards. It is important to understand and follow safety precautions when enjoying an open air fire or fireworks display.

Fireworks safety 

Watch our fireworks safety video to learn more about how to keep your family and community safe when using fireworks.

Create a safe environment

Prior to setting off fireworks, it’s important to create a safe environment. Make sure you:

  • Choose an open area away from buildings, vehicles, overhead obstructions and dry brush or grass
  • Have a working fire extinguisher ready and accessible at all times
  • Find a hard, flat and level ground surface
  • Keep all spectators at least 20 m away from the fireworks

When you are discharging the fireworks, make sure you:

  • Read the instructions, cautions and warnings on each consumer firework
  • Only light one firework at a time
  • Wear proper eye protection and protective clothing
  • Keep children away from the area
  • Use care when handling and firing consumer fireworks
  • Clean up the area after the display

For more information about firework safety view the:

Open air fire safety 

Check out our open air fire safety video to learn what you can do to protect your family and home while having an outdoor fire. You can also review the Open Air By-law for more information.