Cochrane Fire Services are reminding residents to stay off storm water ponds.

Up in areas like Sunset Ridge, many kids have been seen walking on the pond.

Fire Prevention Officer, Jeff Avery, says stay off the retention ponds.

"For one the weather is still way above zero, above normal temperatures,  so nothing is freezing right through yet. And with the influx of water going up and down there could spaces in there that the ice could be a few inches on top but nothing on the bottom."

Before lacing up to skate on the outdoor pond or Tim Bannister Memorial rink, check the outdoor facility status line at 403-851-2552, Park crews consistently check the safety of the ice.

"We would need to see minus ten on a regular basis, day and night, just to get the thick ice. You want the ice to be a good six inches or a foot before you go on it. Right now there's still open water on most of the ponds so it is really dangerous right now. It looks like there is a thin layer of ice on there but you could put your hand through that, so you need to be really careful."

If anyone were to fall through the ice, call 911 immediately, Cochrane Fire Services have a specialty team and equipment ready to go.