Community Safety

Okotoks Fire & Rescue and Municipal Enforcement would like to remind residents that there is a real danger of falling through the ice on storm retention ponds and the Sheep River due to changing water levels. Water quality and changing weather conditions, ice quality and thickness can be significantly reduced. Storm pond water/ice contact is prohibited. It is dangerous to walk, play or skate on any open bodies of water. Please use the Town maintained outdoor skating rinks and toboggan hills.  

What is a storm pond?

Storm pond brochure

Regulating the use of Open Spaces and Recreation Facilities 

Open Spaces and Rec Facilities Bylaw 

According to the Open Space and Recreation Facilities Bylaw:

• No person shall enter, wade, swim or skate, in or upon a storm water pond located within the Town.
• No person shall:
  a) jump, dive, or otherwise propel themselves, from or off any amenity into a storm water pond within the Town;
  b) affix or secure themselves to any structure or amenity for the purposes of water play in a storm water pond located within the Town. 

Winter

Don’t use the Sheep River for recreational use!  Did you know that ice could crumble with the weight of a child when the temperatures hover around freezing? River ice has an extra danger of sweeping someone away under the ice. Stay safe this winter and use the Town maintained outdoor skating rinks and toboggan hills.  

Summer

While enjoying a sunny afternoon dip in the Sheep River sounds ideal the Town does not recommend activities on or in the river due to cold water, fluctuating water level and the potential of debris.

Water levels in rivers can fluctuate and the depths can vary dramatically. Slippery rocks can cause falls and feet can become trapped. Rivers in the foothills can contain debris like logs and overhanging trees, making entering the water extremely risky. Swimmers and rafters can easily get caught in these hazards and the current can cause them to become trapped.  Even shallow rivers currents are very forceful. It is important to scout the river and assess dangers. If you are unsure of hazards stay away from that part of the river.

As the river is an unguarded area, people must always use caution when around a body of water. Recreation seekers must be aware of their surroundings and the potential hazards.

According to the Lifesaving Society's Alberta and Northwest Territories Branch (www.lifesaving.org ), even during the summertime, most Canadian bodies of water are cold enough to be considered a major contributing factor in recreational drowning deaths.

The society suggests the following safety measures:

• every family member meet the Swim to Survive standard — where you roll into deep water, tread water for one minute then swim 50 metres.
• wear life jackets (even when not boating)
• check the weather forecast before heading out
• do not consume alcoholic beverages
• closely supervise children
• swim with a buddy
• never dive into shallow water

Consider downloading the location-sharing what3words app to share your precise location in an emergency situation by using a what3words address. The three-word address helps OFD locate callers more easily and allows for a quicker response. More info in the section below. 

The Okotoks Fire Department want to remind you to Keep yourself and your pets off of the Sheep River. As the weather warms up, bodies of water become even more dangerous, even if the ice looks solid. Because of the way it melts, it will dramatically weaken even as it retains its thickness. When water freezes, minerals in the water make vertical veins, which melt faster than the rest of the ice.

If someone has fallen through the ice:

• Call 9-1-1 and yell for help.
• If you are also on the weak ice, slowly lie down to distribute your weight and crawl or roll away from the broken or cracked area.
• Call out to the person who has fallen in and tell them to grab as far up onto the edge of the ice as they can and start kicking their feet as if they are swimming. The kicking motion will help keep the person afloat or swim right up onto the ice.
• Extend your reach with a tree branch, hockey stick, ladder, belt, scarf, jacket or anything safely from the shore. Tell them to start kicking to help them propel out of the water while you pull them out.
• Tell them to roll or crawl to safety to lower their chance of falling through the ice again.
• Try to keep them as warm as possible until help arrives.

• Firefighter Travis gives a fire truck tour

Or some activities on Sparky’s website.   

Relaying your exact location in an emergency, especially when you are outdoors or in remote areas, can be difficult. The Okotoks Fire Department (OFD) now supports the location-finding app what3words to help locate callers in emergency situations, allowing for a quicker response. 

The app has divided the world into 3m x 3m squares, each with a unique three-word address. This three-word address saves valuable time in an emergency situation by allowing callers to accurately share their precise location with dispatch. This makes it easier for emergency responders to deploy resources and find those in need of help in remote places or areas with no address.

Download what3words on the free app for Android or iOS, or access the online map. The app functions offline, can be used in remote areas and is internationally recognized. It is used by several Canadian emergency services to locate callers in emergencies, including the RCMP in some areas. Download what3words to help the OFD #KnowExactlyWhere you are in an emergency.

Find out how to use what3words here. By sharing the three words that make up your what3words address, OFD can find you faster and get exactly where they need to be. 

Here are some seasonal home fire safety tips from the Okotoks Fire & Rescue:

1. Smoke/Carbon Monoxide Detectors

• Make sure you have them and that they’re working. 
   

2. Light up the night without igniting the lights

• Purchase extension cords for the specific job – don’t improvise with an indoor cord outdoors, or daisy chain several shorter cords instead of just getting a longer one.
• As with extension cords, indoor-rated light strings and pre-lit trees are for indoor use only. Products marked for indoor use are not designed to hold up against the elements. However it is safe though to use outdoor extension cords and light strings indoors.
• It is not a good idea to connect different types of light strings together. For example, don’t plug in a new LED string to your old incandescent light string.
• Do not run extension cords under carpets, out windows or doorways where they could become pinched.
• Inspect light strings/set and extension cords before use, and discard any that show signs of wear or damage.
• Insert plugs fully into outlets. Poor contact may cause overheating or shock.
• If using candles, burn them in proper holders, on sturdy surfaces away from children and pets. Put out candles before leaving the room or going to sleep. 
• Do not overload electrical outlets.
• Be mindful of ladder placement when hanging outdoor lights or decorating your Christmas tree. Ensure it is safely secured on an even ground and that you have someone to hold the ladder for you. 
   

3. Staying warm

• If you must use a space heater, plug it directly into a wall outlet, not into an extension cord or power bar. Give it lots of room -- at least 1 m (3 feet) of space on all sides, and turn it off before leaving the room or going to sleep.
• Consider replacing old space heaters with newer models that turn off automatically when tipped or overheating. 
• Use a barrier to keep children and pets away from gas or wood burning fireplaces when they are in use. 
• Never burn gift wrappings, boxes, cartons, or other types of packing in the fireplace. 
   

4. Cooking safe

• Don’t leave grilling, frying or broiling unattended.
• Keep cooking surfaces clutter-free
   

5. The Tree

• Real or fake, the good news is Christmas trees rarely catch fire. Nevertheless, if using a real one, make sure to keep it well-watered and away from sources of heat. Never use candles on or near the tree.
• Ensure a real tree is watered regularly to prevent it from drying out. 
• Turn your tree lights out before you go to bed. 

Halloween is the time of year when all the little ghosts and ghouls get to dress up. They wander through Okotoks' neighbourhoods, knocking on doors and collecting treats. It can be very fun, as long as it’s a safe experience. We have put together safety information to help you and your little trick or treaters stay safe on Halloween. Both fire stations are open, between emergency calls, as safe places for anyone needing help.

Homes and decorations
To help prevent fires and injuries, follow these tips:

• Ensure your front entrance is well-lit to welcome trick-or-treaters.
• Keep front lawns and pathways clear of obstacles.
• Keep pets contained and away from the front entrance.
• Avoid using real candles, especially where people walk by, and consider using battery-operated candles or glow sticks.

Costume safety

It’s important to pick your costume carefully so that you are safe while trick-or-treating.

• Avoid costumes made of flammable materials and long trailing fabrics.
• Chose properly fitting costumes and footwear.
• Weapons or Accessories shouldn't look too real and should be made of flexible material that cannot cause harm.
• Ensure your mask doesn't limit your vision or try using face paint instead of a mask.
• Dress for the weather. The temperature in Calgary drops quickly, so dress warm.

Stay visible

Okotoks gets dark quickly in the evening and as the sun goes down it gets harder for drivers to see trick-or-treaters. Follow these tips to stay visible:

• Try to trick-or-treat while it’s light out.
• Attach reflective tape or glow sticks.
• Wear bright and visible costumes.
• Carry a flashlight or glow stick.
• Travel in groups.

Trick-or-treating

• Trick-or-treating should be fun and safe for everyone. Remember these tips to have a safe night out:
• Young children should always be accompanied by an adult.
• Discuss and plan a route and where to meet after.
• Stay on sidewalks, cross at intersections, and look both ways before crossing.
• Do not enter the home of a stranger.
• Do not approach homes that are unlit or undecorated.
• Carry a cell phone in case of emergencies, but don’t let it distract you!
• Ensure all candy is inspected and tested by an adult.