OPP warn French River is unsafe

OPP News Release

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The Ontario Provincial Police would like to warn the public of reported dangerous ice conditions in the area of the French River.

Reports of thin ice and large areas of open water have been reported in several locations along the French River from Lake Nipissing to the Chaudière dam.

The O.P.P. is urging persons travelling on area waterways to use extreme caution when travelling over frozen bodies of water.

Safety Message:

If you do travel across lakes or rivers know the conditions before you go.

Follow these self rescue tips:

• Place hands/arms on unbroken ice while kicking hard to propel your body onto the ice, like a seal. Carry ice picks.

• Wear a buoyant snowmobile suit.

• Kick vigorously into a horizontal position and swim to the nearest ice edge.

• Once clear, stay flat and roll away to stronger ice.

• Quickly replace wet clothes, keep moving to generate body heat, and find immediate shelter and warmth.

• If you don't know the ice condition, then don't go.

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