This upcoming Family Day weekend, families can fish for free in Ontario without the need to buy a fishing licence or Outdoors Card.

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Even in a typical winter, the ice around hydroelectric facilities is often much thinner than it appears, due to changing water flows and conditions. An unusually warm winter to date means many waterways are not as frozen as they typically would be at this time of year. In many areas of the province, there hasn’t been a prolonged period of below-zero temperatures to permit sufficient freezing, and even those areas that appear frozen aren’t necessarily stable. First responders have been called to help when people and pets have ventured onto unsafe ice in several areas of the province this winter season.

Always stay a safe distance from riverbanks and fast-flowing water.

For more information about water safety, please visit: www.opg.com/watersafety.

• OPG operates 66 hydroelectric stations and 240 dams on 24 Ontario river systems.
• Despite continued warnings, some people disregard our signs and barriers, putting themselves and first responders at risk.

“If you’re spending time outside this Family Day weekend, please ensure that you and your family stay clear of any waterways,” said Paul Seguin, OPG Senior Vice President, Renewable Generation. “The warning signs and barriers around our facilities are there for a reason, and that reason is safety.”

“Practicing water safety not only protects you but also our first responders,” said Rob Grimwood, OAFC President & Deputy Chief Mississauga Fire and Emergency Services. “While first responders, including firefighters, train for ice rescues, having to assist someone who has gone into the cold water is difficult and dangerous. Be sure to use common sense in these areas, so that everyone can go home and enjoy time with their family.”

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• Municipal Office, 1000 Taylor Court
• Bracebridge Sportsplex, 110 Clearbrook Trail
• Bracebridge Memorial Arena, 169 James Street
• Bracebridge Fire Station 1, 225 Taylor Road

Family Day Drop-In Activities
Bracebridge Sportsplex and Memorial Arena
Monday, February 19

Grab a friend and get ready for some fun! The Recreation department has a day full of activities to get you moving. From pickleball and public swimming to crafts and activities, there is something for everyone to enjoy. Some of our Family Day programming is brought to you by Parry Sound – Muskoka MPP and Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry, Graydon Smith.

Continue to ride the Wellness Wave on Family Day with a children’s obstacle course geared toward children age 18 months to six years of age. This activity will take place in the Group Fitness Studio from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m and is generously supported by local Real Estate Brokers, Paul and Lea Kane.

For more information on the schedule of events, and to see which programs are free, check out page 27 of the Leisure Guide.

Bracebridge Library
The Bracebridge Library will be closed on Family Day. While closed, Bracebridge Library card holders can enjoy free online resources 24/7. For access to eBooks, magazines, newspapers, online courses, reference centers, and more, visit bracebridgelibrary.ca/online-resources.

Bracebridge Transit
Bracebridge Transit and Bracebridge Mobility will not operate on Monday, February 19. Operations will resume on Tuesday, February 20 at 7:30 am. For route and schedule information, visit bracebridgetransit.ca.

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No matter the temperature, ice near OPG’s hydroelectric facilities may not be safe: changing water levels may cause ice to crack, leaving it weak and unstable, and currents may prevent thick ice from forming, even after a stretch of very cold days. Reports from across the province indicate ice was late to form in many areas this winter, which increases potential for unsafe conditions.

Please stay away from water above and below hydro facilities and obey all warning signs and barriers.

For more information about water safety, please visit: www.opg.com/watersafety

Quick facts

• OPG operates 66 hydroelectric stations and 241 dams on 24 Ontario river systems.
• Despite continued warnings, some people disregard our signs and barriers, putting themselves at risk.
• OPG works with Ontario Provincial Police to enforce these warnings and police could lay charges.

“Family Day weekend is a great time to enjoy winter activities, but please ensure you and yours keep safety top-of-mind,” said Paul Seguin, OPG Senior Vice President, Renewable Generation. “As you enjoy this holiday weekend, stay clear of OPG’s hydroelectric facilities.”

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This Family Day weekend, from February 18-20, Ontario families and friends can enjoy fishing anywhere in the province without having to purchase a licence or carry an Outdoors Card.

The post Celebrate Family Day Weekend In Ontario With Free Fishing appeared first on Muskoka411.

• Municipal Office, 1000 Taylor Court
• Bracebridge Sportsplex, 110 Clearbrook Trail
• Bracebridge Memorial Arena, 169 James Street
• Bracebridge Fire Station 1, 225 Taylor Road

Family Day Drop-In Activities
Bracebridge Sportsplex and Memorial Arena
Monday, February 20

Grab a friend and get ready for some fun! The Recreation department has a day full of activities to get you moving. From pickleball and public swimming to crafts and activities, there is something for everyone to enjoy. Family Day programming is brought to you by Parry Sound – Muskoka MPP and Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry, Graydon Smith.

For more information on the schedule of events, check out page 22 of the Leisure Guide.

Marvel Trivia: Welcome to the MCU
Bracebridge Library
Saturday, February 18 | 1 – 2 pm

Avengers assemble! Create a team of four to six people to test your Marvel knowledge. From Iron Man to Ant Man, be tested on everything from the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Costumes are welcome! Snap a team pic in the photobooth and compete for a marvel-themed prize pack. Limited spots available. RSVP at bracebridgelibrary.ca/event/marvel-trivia.

Family Day Closures
The Bracebridge Library will be closed on Family Day, February 20. During this time, take advantage of the many online resources available including LinkedIn Learning, access to eBooks, articles, magazines and more. Online resources are available to all Bracebridge Library cardholders.

The Bracebridge Library will re-open to the public during regular business hours on Tuesday, February 21. Learn more at bracebridgelibrary.ca.

Bracebridge Transit and Bracebridge Mobility will not operate on Monday, February 20. Operations will resume on Tuesday, February 21 at 7:30 am. For schedule information, visit bracebridgetransit.ca.

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“Family Day is a great opportunity to remind your family about what they must do in the event of a fire,” says Interim Fire Chief Larry Brassard. “Everyone needs to know how to get out of the home safely when the smoke alarm sounds, especially because most fatal fires occur at night when people are asleep.” The fire department is issuing this reminder in the wake of a deadly start to fires in Ontario this year.

Simple steps for home fire escape planning:

• Install smoke alarms on every storey and outside sleeping areas. It’s the law. For best protection, install additional smoke alarms in every bedroom
• Make sure you have a working carbon monoxide (CO) alarm adjacent to all bedrooms
• Develop a home fire escape plan, discuss it with the entire family and do a fire drill
• Show everyone two ways out of each room, if possible
• Check that all exits are unobstructed and easy to use
• Determine who will be responsible for helping young children, older adults or anyone else that may need assistance
• Choose a meeting place outside, such as a tree or a lamp post, where everyone can be accounted for
• If caught in smoke, get low and go under the smoke to the nearest safe exit.
• Call the fire department from outside the home, from a cell phone or a neighbour’s home
• Once out, stay out. Never re-enter a burning building

For more information on fire and life safety, please visit huntsville.ca or follow us on Twitter (@HLOBfire), Facebook (@HLOBfiredept) or Instagram (huntsvillelakeofbaysfire)

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To enter, simply upload a photo of your favourite family activity to the Hands Facebook page and use the hashtag #HandsFamilyPhotos.  All correct entries will be entered into a draw for a $100 gift certificate to a local restaurant of the winner’s choice. Winners will need to answer a skill testing question. The contest is open now.

The contest is open to everyone, and families can have multiple entries. The deadline for submissions is 11:59 pm on February 21, 2022.

The prize draw will take place on Wednesday, February 23, 2022, at 12:30 pm, and the winner will be announced on Hands’ Facebook Page.

“We are pleased to help families celebrate Family Day through this fun and interactive contest. We know the past two years have been tough on everyone. Our Family Day Photo Contest encourages us to focus on the joys in our lives and the importance of connection with those we identify as family,” said Trish Benoit, Director of Child and Youth Mental Health Services at Hands TheFamilyHelpNetwork.ca. “While you’re enjoying time together this Family Day, snap a photo – whether that is indoors through card games and puzzles, or outdoors snowshoeing, sledding, or ice fishing. There are so many ways to connect and have fun together.”

Hands reserves the right to remove and disqualify any photo it deems inappropriate to the spirit of the contest.

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Regardless of the temperature, it’s dangerous to assume ice in areas around hydroelectric stations is safe. Water flow, fluctuating water levels and other factors can contribute to unsafe conditions.

Please stay away from water above and below hydro facilities, and obey all warning signs and barriers.

For more information about water safety, please visit: www.opg.com/watersafety

Quick facts

• OPG operates 66 hydroelectric stations and 241 dams on 24 Ontario river systems.
• Many of these facilities are remote controlled, meaning there’s no one there to warn you of imminently changing, potentially dangerous conditions.
• For your safety, do not snowmobile, ski, icefish or participate in any other activity around dams and generating stations.

Quote

“Though the province has had many very cold, snowy days so far in 2022, ice in areas around hydroelectric stations can be deceptively thin,” said Paul Seguin, OPG Senior Vice President, Renewable Generation. “Please, as part of enjoying the Family Day long weekend, ensure you, your children and your pets stay safe and stay clear of these areas.”

SOURCE Ontario Power Generation Inc.

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