There’s nothing more Canadian than Santa driving a Zamboni to Tim Hortons drive thru and inviting his friends from Prince George Fire Rescue, YRB, and Prince George Search & Rescue to come together to share some safety tips with the community during a coldsnap of minus 20 Thursday morning.
Northern ICE, a community-based partnership striving to provide access to alternative ice surfaces at the Chad Staley Memorial Arena at the Prince George Golf & Curling Club, hosted the Winter Safety Awareness event in the Club parking lot and co-owner Mike Peterson took on the role of Santa for the occasion.
“It’s important to talk about winter safety and it couldn’t have happened on a colder, more beautiful day to help remind us how beautiful our winters are and truthfully how safe we have to be - we have to think ahead and plan carefully, and dress warmly,” Chris Hunter, co-owner of Northern ICE, said.
“We just want people to enjoy the great outdoors and stay safe while doing that,” Julia Tuininga, of Prince George Search & Rescue, added.
Tips offered by Tuininga include leaving a trip plan with someone, investing in some emergency preparedness items like a fire-starting kit and a good flashlight.
Tiuninga advised to always do a test of new items like a fire starting kit before venturing outdoors during the winter to make sure everything works the way it’s supposed to.
“That way if you do get into trouble you can navigate your way out of it with confidence,” Tiuninga said.
“People should prepare for their journey, know what road conditions are before heading out, giving themselves lots of time to get where they’re going,” Ben Scott, YRB general manager, said.
“People should always be prepared with a safety kit, extra blankets, and always try to keep the gas tank full in case of emergencies. “
When the lights are flashing on the YRB equipment they are in work mode and people should give them the time and space to do their jobs, Scott advised.
Prince George Fire Rescue fire prevention inspector had plenty of advice to give.
“Keep anything that can burn at least three feet away from any source of heat, make sure to water the Christmas tree every day, get rid of it when it dries out, make sure not to overload any electrical outlets, try to use battery-operated candles instead of the real thing, be sure to unplug, extinguish and turn off any decorations before leaving the house or going to bed,” Andrew Zielinski, fire prevention inspector for the Prince George Fire Rescue, said. “You want to make sure to test all smoke alarms, don’t leave any source of fire or heat unattended and stay in the kitchen when you’re cooking - that’s a big one, too.”
Other community members that participated in the event included OVERhang, Dymin Mechanical and Refrigeration, Cariboo Cougars and the Chad Staley Memorial Foundation.
Tim Hortons provided some outdoor goodies and the restaurant at the Golf and Curling club was open for a family lunch.
Mike Peterson from Northern Ice wrote this poem in anticipation of the event:
Twas the night before Santa took a Zamboni to Tims
Northern ICE was all giddy for the adventure to begin
A whole bunch of friends really did care
About winter safety so be careful out there!
The silly adventure begins half past 10
Timbeibs and coffee to enter your heads
Chris in his skates and Mike dressed in red
Have an excellent safety message to spread.
When out in the parking lot at a full hour past 10
The winter safety flash mob is set to begin.
A Zamboni and plow truck and maybe big red
will all be in attendance with a message to spread.
Winter safety is key for the lives of us all
Please be safe and Merry Christmas to all!
