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Lake Safety

Spring/Summer

Spring/Summer

Water Safety in early Spring

Excerpt from the Red Cross:

“Water safety is something that many people rarely think about when there is still snow and ice on the ground. But it is at this time of year, when the weather is warmer and grass begins to appear that children are especially attracted to exploring the outdoors. Water levels tend to be higher, and often we see rushing water with soft, slippery banks that can lead to a crisis if a child, or adult, gets too close. The Red Cross advises that not only should people be wary of open water, but also water still covered by ice. At a time of year marked by fluctuating temperatures, it is extremely difficult to be sure of ice thickness. A fall through ice is something very hard to recover from and it is likely that such an incident would result in hypothermia for the victim. The Red Cross offers the following tips for recognizing the signs and symptoms of hypothermia and for providing basic first aid while waiting for Emergency Medical Services to arrive:

Signs & Symptoms of Hypothermia:

Feeling cold

Shivering which will stop as the condition worsens

Slurred speech

Pale skin, bluish lips

Slow pulse

Lethargic

Mood swings

Unable to think clearly

Unconsciousness

What Should You Do?

Call 911 or send someone to do it for you and have them report back.

Keep the person warm by wrapping them in blankets and moving them to a warm place. Remember to be very gentle in handling the person.

If the person is dry use heat sources, such as hot water bottles or heating pads, to warm them. Make sure there is a blanket or towel between the heat source and the person’s skin.

Give warm liquids to drink, if the person is awake.

Do not warm the person too quickly by immersing them in warm water. Rapid rewarming can cause heart problems.

Avoid giving alcohol and caffeine to drink; it can hinder the body’s heat-producing mechanisms.

Remove wet or cold clothing and replace with warm dry clothing.”

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Spring Check: Examine your dock to be sure that it has not been damaged in such a way that it cannot be secured to the shore. Check for loose or rotted boards and overall winter damage. Conduct a property check for loose limbs (often known as widow makers) from the storms we have experienced over the winter months.

Many of you may have been away from the cottage for the entire winter. Remember to check the batteries in your smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors.

Boat preparations are also an important consideration before putting them back in the water. Make sure all the required safety equipment is onboard. Last year we reported that the law has changed as far as drinking and driving convictions while in a boat. Upon a conviction you will lose both you boating license and your driver’s license.

Check your barbecue to make sure it is clear of spiders and leaks before you use it for the first time this spring.

Boating: When taking your boat for the first run in the spring ensure that all your safety equipment is in place (see the Safe Boating Guide). Ensure that you comply with all regulations and know your rules of boating and licensing. Carry your Pleasure Craft Operators Card.

Debris: Every spring fallen trees, dead heads ( a tree that is waterlogged upright and lies just below the surface of the water, deadly to boats and people) escaping docks, rafts and various other forms of debris are floating in the lake. A thorough inspection of your boating area before attempting any activities is imperative and will help make the lake safe for everyone.

Attention Fishermen: Once the season opens the water can still kill you. Take caution, know your conditions, wear your Lifejacket, and always let someone know where you are going.

Waterskiing, Wakeboarding and Seadooing: In the spring these activities can pose different hazards, obviously the cold is one. A wet suit can help but it is not a lifejacket.

All activities should be performed in a state of sobriety.

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Summer Storm Tips

Thunderstorms, hail, blizzards, high winds, and heavy rain can develop quickly any time of the year and hit hard, threatening life and property. Listen to the local radio for severe weather warnings. Have a battery-powered radio on hand in case of power outage. If a severe storm is forecast, secure everything that might be blown around or torn loose -- indoors and outdoors. Unplug radios, televisions, computers, and other electronics that may be damaged during a storm. If you are indoors avoid windows, doors, fireplaces, and items that conduct electricity. If you are caught in the open, crouch down with your feet close together and your head down (the "leap-frog" position).

Freezing rain accumulates on branches, power lines and buildings if you must go outside be observant of these hazards. If you must travel during a winter storm, do so during the day and let someone know your route and arrival time. Avoid traveling during freezing rain. If your car gets stuck do not leave your vehicle. Run the car for ten minutes every half an hour and make sure your exhaust pipe is clear to eliminate the threat from the hazardous carbon monoxide gas.

Never go out in a boat during a storm. Never touch power lines.

You can use a cellular telephone during a severe storm, but it's not safe to use a land-line telephone.

News reports often carry stories of people's unpreparedness for a weather emergency. The following are a number of suggestions to help. In case of a weather emergency and prolonged power outage it is recommended that you have the following items on hand.

Flashlights with extra batteries
Battery powered clock and radio
Landline phone that works w/o batteries
First aid kit & extra prescriptions if needed
Manual can opener
Non-perishable ready to eat food (3 day supply)
Candles in safe containers & Matches
Bottled water (3 day supply four litres per person)
Extra blankets
Portable cooking stove, fuel & utensils etc.
A bucket for fetching water from the lake

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Power Outage

Is your family prepared for a major emergency? You need to be prepared for at least 72 hours while emergency workers help those in urgent need.

Never go out in a boat during a storm. Never touch power lines.

You can use a cellular telephone during a severe storm, but it's not safe to use a land-line telephone.

During a power outage

Never go near or touch a fallen power line. (Make sure your children know this rule)
Determine if the outage is limited to your home.
Turn off electrical appliances, especially computers and televisions.
Never use gas powered stoves or heaters inside your home.
Never leave burning candles unattended
Limit the use of refrigerators and freezers. Add ice blocks to extend the freezing times. Leave a plastic cup with ice cubes in your freezer while away from the cottage. Upon returning to the cottage if you find a solid block, assume the contents of your freezer have probably been compromised. Fill juice bottles with water to use as solid blocks to help with freezer function but also to melt and use as water if the situation becomes needed. When in doubt throw out! (Remember we have had outages in the area of up to 10 days.)

The usual culprit in long power outages are severe storms. Severe storms take time to develop and reach the lake. Environment Canada issues watches (the potential for severe weather) and warnings (severe weather has been observed in the area and is imminent, take cover) for high winds, heavy rain or snowfall, flooding, tornados, hurricanes, severe thunderstorms and excessive heat or cold. Be aware of weather watches and warnings especially if you are on the lake. Nothing will destroy fun at the lake like being struck by lightning.

Tornadoes and micro bursts are one of the most severe weather threats. If you observe a dark sky that is greenish in colour, large hail, signs of debris and a noise like a freight train seek shelter immediately. The wind may die down and become very still before a storm. When sheltering inside, basements, inner windowless rooms, and/or underground shelters are possible safe areas. Stay away from windows. When outside and unable to get to shelter, crouch down in a ditch or next to a strong building. If you are in a car, get out and lie in a ditch, never try to outrun a tornado.

Thunderstorms are another of nature's threats. If you can hear thunder then you are at risk of being struck by lightning - start taking precautions immediately! Do not stay in open spaces. Keep away from moisture and do not stand or sit on wet items. Do not take shelter near large boulders and tall, solitary trees. Get to a low lying area. Being close to a strike can cause harm due to superheated air. Keep yourself in a low position but don't touch the ground with your hands - this might cause your body to be a conductor. Drop any metal objects, like a golf club or umbrella, as these make perfect conductors.

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Emergency Kit

Create your emergency plan:

Know the exits are from your home and neighborhood. Designate a meeting place for those living in your home. Designate a person to pick up your children if you are unable to. Make arrangements for your pets. Carry your important information with you especially your health information. Know the location of your fire extinguisher, water valve, electrical box, gas valve and floor drain.

Water - at least two liters per person per day
Food - Canned goods, energy bars and dried food
Manual can opener
Flashlight and batteries
Candles, matches and lighters
Battery powered or wind up radio
First aid kit
Items such as prescription medications, infant formula and equipment for people with disabilities
Extra keys for your car and house
Cash and change for payphones
A copy of your emergency plan including contact information
A change of clothing and footwear for each household member
Sleeping bag or warm blanket for each household member
A whistle (in case you need to attract attention)
Garbage bags for personal sanitation
Toilet paper and other personal care supplies
Safety gloves
Basic tools (hammer, pliers, wrench, screwdrivers, fasteners, work gloves)
Small fuel-driven stove and fuel (follow manufacturer's directions and store properly)

The information from this report was taken directly from the following website. https://www.getprepared.gc.ca/cnt/kts/index-en.aspx

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Sun, heat and humidity

Sun, heat and humidity can also be a safety issue. The first sign that someone is succumbing to heat is cramping in the limbs. Nausea and dizziness may accompany the cramps. Remove the person from direct sunlight and fan them if you can. Cramps can lead to a more severe risk called heat exhaustion. The person will become pale with a weak pulse and cold skin but will still be sweating. They may become unconscious. Provide tepid water and remove them from the heat. Seek medical assistance.

The Red Cross offers these tips to help you "beat the heat":

Dress in light, loose clothing. Wear a hat. Apply an SPF 30+ sunscreen to exposed skin;
Avoid being outdoors in the hottest part of the day. If you must go out, try going out in the early morning or later evening hours when the sun is not as strong;
Slow down activities that make you hot. Work and exercise in brief periods. Take frequent breaks;
Drink plenty of cool fluids, but avoid caffeine and alcohol;
Don't leave children or animals unattended in the car, even for a few minutes.
Remember that animals can suffer from the heat also, protect your pet.

Swimming Safety Tips: Never swim alone. Never swim across the lake unless accompanied by a boat. Know your lake bottom and never dive into waters that are not a suitable depth. Never leave children alone in or near the water. Water wings and other such flotation devices do not ensure that a child will stay above the water. Swimming lessons are the best way to ensure that children are water aware.

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Boating Requirements and Safety Tips

Summer is here again and along with it comes the reminder of rules and courtesies of lake living.

Roughly 150 people die each year in boating accidents. Tragically almost all boating accidents are preventable. Let's make sure that Soyers Lake remains a safe place for water activities.

Although not law, it is highly recommended that we wear our lifejackets when in a boat. There must be a PFD (Personal Floatation Device) on board for every person in the vessel and always wear a PFD on a PWC (Personal Water Craft).

Mixing alcohol and boating is far more dangerous than you may realize. The combinations of fatigue, sun, wind and motion dulls your senses and alcohol will intensify these effects. If you are convicted of 'Drinking and Driving' your water vehicle you will loose your land license as well. "Water on the water; beer on the pier".

Make sure you have all the required equipment on board.

Keep clear of swimmers, divers and other vessels when boating. Be careful not to cut across in front of skiers you may be out of the way but your wake can be hazardous to the beginning skier up to and including the more experienced skiers. Wakeboard boats create a larger than normal wake which can in turn wash out loon nests and create problems for smaller boats, please be responsible for your wake.

Licensing is still an important factor in our boating activities. Know you Rules and Regulations. Make sure you have all the appropriate equipment on board.

Age-horsepower restrictions:

Under 12 years old - can operate a pleasure craft with no more than 10 hp
Between 12 and 16 years old - can operate a pleasure craft no more than 40 hp
Less than 16 years of age - not allowed to operate a PWC
16 years of age or older - no power restrictions.

Operator Competency Requirements:

All operators born after April 1, 1983 require proof of competency on board since Sept. 15, 1999
All operators of craft less that 4m (13.1') in length including PWCs require proof of competency on board since September 15, 2002
All operators require proof of competency on board since September 15, 2009

Fines:

Operating a vessel in a careless manner - $250.00
Speeding - $100.00
Underage operation of a PWC - $100.00
Operating a power-driven pleasure craft without the required pleasure Craft Operators Card - $250.00
Insufficient number of appropriately sized flotation devices - $200.00 for each absent device

For more information check out www.tc.gc.ca/eng/marinesafety/debs-obs-menu-1362.htm or call 1 800 267 6687

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