Recreation Area Safety

• Safety When Hiking
• Safety Around Water
• Campfire Safety Rules

Safety When Hiking

Unwary hikers can be overtaken by darkness on their return so plan your trip carefully. Note closing times of each recreation area.

Be prepared!

• Be physically fit to enjoy your activities.
• Leave a message with a friend. If you do not return as planned, accurate information can be given to the police. If possible carry a cellular phone for emergency purposes.
• Never hike alone.
• Always carry the 10 essentials and be ready to stay out overnight. The 10 essentials are:
  1. flashlight
  2. large orange plastic bag. Why a large orange plastic bag? It's actually one of the most valuable items on the list. Crawling into the bag helps keep you warm and dry. The orange colour is also highly visible and helps attract attention, particularly from the air.
  3. whistle
  4. water and food
  5. waterproof matches or lighter
  6. extra clothes
  7. fire-starter or candle
  8. first aid kit
  9. pocket knife
  10. compass and map

If you become lost:

• Do not panic.
• Stay where you are.
• Do not go downhill.
• Use signaling devices (use a whistle, light a fire, stay visible).
• Build/seek shelter.

Safety Around Water

Many areas of our hydroelectric facilities are particularly hazardous to the public. Sudden adjustments in water flows can occur without warning and cause strong surface and underwater currents in the vicinity of the intake structures and the tunnel outfalls. Swimming or boating in these areas is extremely dangerous. For your personal safety, please observe all warning signs and stay well back from BC Hydro operating areas and structures.

All lakes, rivers and streams represent a potential danger to public safety. Please note the following:

• There are often no lifeguards on duty at our facilities. Please be aware of the safety precautions in the recreation area you are attending. In the event of an emergency, contact the Recreation Area Warden or phone 911. Visitors are required to obey the safety directions of all on-site BC Hydro Recreation Area staff.
• An approved personal flotation device (PFD) is required by law for each person on board any boat or canoe. This includes inflatables. Remember that it won't work if you don't wear it. A sound signaling device, such as a whistle, is also required by law.
• Don't overload your boat or canoe with people or gear.
• Small boats with a rounded bottom tip easily. Keep your centre of gravity as low as possible by sitting or kneeling even when reeling in a fish.
• Watch the weather. Check the forecast before starting out. Be alert for the wave, wind, and cloud changes that signal bad weather is approaching.
• Cold water reduces body heat 25 times faster than air does at the same temperature. Many of the lakes in our recreation facilities are cold enough to cause serious harm. Wearing your PFD increases your survival time.
• Alcohol affects your ability to function in three critical ways. Your balance, judgment and reaction time are affected almost immediately with the first drink. Remember: alcohol and water don't mix!
• Never leave children unsupervised while they are in or near the water.
• Children and non- swimmers should wear a PFD.
• Two-thirds of people who drown never intend to go in the water. If you are not prepared to get wet, you are not prepared to go out on the water.
• Be back on shore 30 minutes before posted closing times.

Campfire Safety Rules

• Contain campfires within the metal fire ring. The height of the campfire cannot exceed the height of the fire ring.
• Campfire wood is available. To preserve vegetation and ground cover, please don't gather firewood from the area around your campsite or elsewhere in the recreation area. Dead wood is an important habitat element for many plants and animals and it adds organic matter to the soil.
• Campfires must be supervised at all times by someone 16 years of age or older.
• Campfires are not to be lit during high winds.
• Please limit your use of campfires to cooking and warmth. They not only create a danger of forest fires, but the smoke from campfires pollutes the environment.
• Campfires may not be used to burn household refuse, plastics, rubber, asphalt shingles, construction or demolition waste or similar materials.
• Don't burn garbage in your campfire. The smell is unpleasant for you and your neighbours, and may attract bears into your camp. Unburned waste left in a fire pit is an unappealing discovery for whoever uses the site after you.
• Always make sure that your campfire is fully extinguished before leaving. Even days after having burned down, embers can stay hot and pose a hidden danger. Pull apart the logs and pour water over the coals. Even if this means repeated trips down to the river or reservoir, make sure that nothing is left smoking, glowing or hot.
• Observe fire restrictions imposed by the Ministry of Forests. To report a forest fire telephone 1 800 663-5555.

Last Modified: February 1, 2005