Spokesperson Tony Rodgers is asking parents to talk to their children about staying away from thin ice

A spokesperson for Halifax Regional Search and Rescue wants parents to talk to their children about ice safety as we head into the Christmas break.

Tony Rodgers said, it may be tempting to try to walk on a local pond or lake, but the water hasn't yet had a chance to freeze up yet.

"I have a small pond in back of my place...it's got a skim of ice on it right now, and it just terrifies me when I hear kids around the edge playing and tossing rocks on it," he said. "I know that it won't support the weight of anybody this time of year."

Halifax Regional Municipality says ice should be at least 15 centimetres thick for one person to safely walk or skate alone, 20 centimetres for a group to play hockey, and 25 centimetres for a snowmobile.

The municipality posts ice thickness reports online so residents can check if it's safe before heading out for a skate.