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LETTER: Walking on ice is walking a thin line

'The government can, and should, do better for the citizens of southern Ontario,' letter writer says of ice safety
USED 2020-12-15 Good Morning Orillia 4
Partially frozen Lake Couchiching. Nathan Taylor/OrilliaMatters file photo

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Every year we hear about people falling through the ice in Ontario. This is a tragic event, but historically it does not occur frequently. Unfortunately, this year it seems much more commonplace.

Unfortunately, this seems to be a major problem this year. People need to pay attention, educate themselves and others, and then perhaps lives can be saved.

Locals know the dangers of the ice this time of the year, but they still seem to be risking their lives by walking on thin ice.

In 2020, the Canadian Red Cross completed a study that determined that an average of 200 people a year die from falling through the ice (Red Cross). Over half of those deaths occur during recreational activities.

The community and the local government need to work together to put a more effective system in place for warning people. They need to implement a more proficient way of keeping people off the ice until it is safe.

Currently the local government and police only say, “hey it's not ready.” This message is often spread by word of mouth and is clearly not effective.

The current response is not adequate. The government can, and should, do better for the citizens of southern Ontario.

Ben Yeaman
Oro-Medonte Township

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