Outdoor Safety Tips

Kelowna is surrounded by magnificent peaks and valleys that give way to a wide array of outdoor recreation opportunities.  Whether you’re out for a short hike, exploring the back country, or hitting some of the mountain bike trails, we want everyone to stay safe. Below are helpful tips that will make sure you have the best time exploring our outdoor playground.

Be Prepared

When outdoors, no matter the activity or the length of time you plan to spend outside, always practice the three Ts:

Trip planning

Anytime you’re going into the outdoors be sure to:

• check the weather
• plan your travel route
• know the terrain and conditions
• tell someone where you’re going and how long you expect to be away

Training

Know your limits when outdoors and ensure you have done your research to have the skills and abilities needed for the activity you are setting out for.

Taking the essentials

Depending on the activity and the length of time you’re outdoors, consider bringing the following with you:

• Water
• first aid kit
• sun protection like a hat, sunscreen, and appropriate clothing
• bug protection like spray and appropriate clothing
• Flashlight
• Fire making kit
• Cell phone

Find out more on the adventuresmart.ca.

Wildlife Safety

If you are out exploring the area, it’s important to remember that we share this beautiful place with many different types of wildlife and whereas attacks are very rare, it’s also important to stay safe and be prepared.

Here are a few tips to always keep in mind:

• Always be aware of your surroundings.
• If you are hiking into areas where you might encounter bears, try and travel in a group of at least 4 people, carry a bear bell or make plenty of noise, and carry bear spray. 
• Do not leave any food on the trails, even organic material, as it can draw wildlife to the trail. 
• Always keep your pets on a leash.
• Never approach or feed wild animals, no matter how small and friendly. This can have disastrous consequences for people and animals.

For more information on wildlife tips, please visit wildsafebc.com or bcparks.ca/wild.

Fire Safety

Kelowna is known for its great weather, which includes hot summer days. This however also means there is an increased risk of fires in our area, so it’s imperative that we all practice safe measures when we are out exploring. On average 40% of wildfires in British Columbia are person-caused, here are a few things to keep in mind to help prevent fires:

• Never throw burning materials on the ground or out of vehicles, such as lit cigarettes.
• If camping, always check if fire restrictions are in place.
• If you are camping, never leave the fire unattended and make sure you have enough water to put it out (eight litres is recommended).
• Always build a fire at least three meters away from standing trees, stumps and logs.
• Be cautious about any activities that can create a spark or heat source sufficient enough to ignite a fire.

For more information about fire safety, please visit bcparks.ca/campfire-bans or bcparks.ca/campfire-safety. Stay informed about wildfire and prevention information, please visit www2.gov.bc.ca.