Ice can be unstable and weak with fluctuating weather, warns P.E.I. Red Cross

Fluctuating temperatures this time of year can make ice unstable and weak, so Islanders should use caution before heading out on the ice say Red Cross officials.

"The weather changing, coming and going with the warm and cold can make the ice very unstable and affects the quality and strength of the ice for sure," said Alanna Green, prevention and safety co-ordinator with the Canadian Red Cross in Charlottetown.

"Colour is a big indicator with ice," Green continued. "Blue being the strongest ice, where grey or white ice is very unsafe. You want to avoid those areas."

Ice should be at least 15 to 20 centimetres thick for skating, and if people are using snowmobiles or all-terrain vehicles on the ice, it should be at least 25 centimetres thick, she advises.

The Red Cross checklist: always check with local authorities before going out on ice, avoid going out on ice at night, and always tell someone where you are going and when you'll be back.

Islanders should also look out for objects protruding from the ice, because that can make the ice thinner, said Green.