92.3 JACK FM

The Lanark County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) would like to remind cottage and home owners who use "bubblers" around their docks and boat houses of their responsibilities.
On February 1, 2010 Lanark County OPP received a report of a dangerous condition on Christie Lake where a device was being used to keep ice away from a boat house. This device commonly known as a "bubbler" can cause large areas of open water which causes a safety concern, especially if the Lake is frequently used by hikers and snowmobilers.
Under Section 263 (1) of the Criminal Code states: Every one who makes or causes to be made an opening in ice that is used or frequented by the public is under a legal duty to guard it in a manner that is adequate to prevent persons from falling in by accident and is adequate to warn them that the opening exists.
Under the penalty section 263 (3) it states that everyone who fails to perform the above duty is guilty of manslaughter if a death results or is guilty of causing bodily harm should one be seriously injured.
The OPP is committed to keeping our lakes safe all year around and want to ensure people are aware of this duty.