Why City Hall's going to demolish your kid's snow fort

Think it's harmless fun for your kids to build a snow fort?

Think again.

The City has served notice that it considers snow forts and tunnels to be danergous to children.

City work crews have been instructed to demolish any such structures that they find in snow-removal areas.

The following is the full text of a news release issued by the City of Sault Ste. Marie:

***************************** Important reminder about the dangers of children and snow

(Sault Ste. Marie, ON) - The Corporation of the City of Sault Ste. Marie is asking parents to remind children of the dangers of snow banks, forts and tunnels.

With the recent snow accumulation, snow banks may look appealing to children looking for a place to play.

"With snow tunnels and snow forts, there is a very serious risk of the snow collapsing and trapping a child," says Mike Faubert, a Maintenance Supervisor for the City's Public Works and Transportation Department.

"It is very important that parents monitor their children's outdoor activities to ensure that they are not putting themselves in harm's way."

With the City's snow removal program in full swing, there is also the danger of children playing in areas where snow removal and clearing takes place.

"With the depth of snow on the ground and the heights of some of the snow banks, city work crews are finding forts and tunnels constructed in areas that can be dangerous to playing children," says Faubert.

"It is important to caution and monitor your children, as well as children in your area, to help prevent a tragedy."

If the City work crews find a fort or tunnel in an area where snow removal and clearing occurs, the structure will be inspected and then collapsed to prevent an accidental burial of playing children during periods our snow removal and plowing operations.

Community members are encouraged to call the Sackville Works Centre at 759-5201 to report the location of a snow fort or tunnel in the area of any City maintained street, lane, or parking lot.

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