Conservation authorities are telling people to exercise caution around waterways this holiday season.

A release from the Nottawasaga Valley Conservation Authority says keep family and pets away from the edges of all waterways and water bodies.

They say streams, rivers, ponds and lakes are extremely dangerous at this time of year as streambanks are slippery and unstable and the water is cold.

Although temperatures have dropped since November when it was warmer, the area could see some free-thaw cycles to end the month.

The melted ice and snow can cause higher water levels, faster flowing water in waterways, potentially creating very hazardous conditions.