With Cochrane's recent weather hovering between unseasonably cold and warm, the message to stay off the ice has already begun. 

Fire Public Education Officer, Jeff Avery, states they have already seen the first signs of footprints on stormwater retention ponds and he can't reiterate enough how important it is for people to stay off the ice. "I drove around and a lot of the ponds the edges are frozen but the middle is still open water and I do see footprints that go right up to the middle to look at the water so we have to be extremely careful."

After a tragic accident in Airdrie last year, Avery shares Cochrane Fire Services will do whatever they can to get the message out by placing signs, educating students, media releases, and perhaps even trying to go door to door. Even with the education provided by the fire department, Avery would like parents and schools to keep educating children about the imminent dangers of being on the ponds. "It comes back to parents watching their kids and telling their kids about ice safety because we can do only so much as a fire department. I feel we are really doing our part and I would suggest if people see kids walking on the ice or other people walking on the ice to definitely call 911 and report that, we will go up and ask them to leave the ice."

If a person were to accidentally fall through the ice it can take firefighters anywhere between 7 to 8 minutes in response time depending on where they are are coming from. Time at that point can be critical as hypothermic conditions can set in after 2 to 3.

At this point no outdoor ice surfaces are open and while Avery appreciates that young Cochranites can be eager to hit the ice he suggests waiting for the green light from the town until it is safe to do so. Cochrane has two town approved outdoor skating surfaces, Mitford Pond and Tim Bannister Outdoor Rink.

If you are wanting to head out skating make sure you check the outdoor facility status line at 403-851-2552. Park crews consistently check the thickness of the ice and town staff will let you know when it is safe but as a reminder storm retention ponds are off limits.