Around the campsite
- Act and drink responsibly in a camping or hiking activity.
- Arrive at the campsite with enough daylight to properly set up and check for hazards. These include broken glass, sharp objects, poison ivy, bee hives and biting insects.
- Choose a site of appropriate size to have enough room for your equipment.
- Clean your campsite regularly and properly dispose of all trash and recycling following visits in order to prevent attracting bears or other animals.
Campfire safety
- Don’t start a fire using flammable liquids; use paper or kindling instead.
- Build fires outdoors only. Light barbecues and grills on sand or within an approved campfire area.
- Keep flammable material at least two metres away from cooking areas or campfires.
- Be sure to have an appropriate clearing for the fire. Keep the area immediately around the fire free of wood, tools and items that may be tripping hazards.
- Never leave the fire unattended. Properly put out your fire and stay until the ashes are cool to the touch.
- Keep children away from the fire and explain the hazards of a fire to your camping party.
- Never place your hands into the fire to rearrange the wood. Use a long, smooth stick instead.
- Keep firefighting equipment nearby such as shovels, bowl/pail of water and sand.
Hiking
- Never hike alone. Always travel with a companion and tell others where you are going.
- Follow marked trails and carry maps and orientation equipment if in an unfamiliar region.
- Take proper care in protecting against exposure to the heat, the cold, dehydration and insects. This can be done by carrying water, dressing appropriately and using sunscreen and insect repellents.
- Never overload yourself with equipment. Carry only the necessities and make sure that you don’t have too much in your pack.
- Wear appropriate footwear (e.g. hiking boots).
- Avoid alcohol, especially on unfamiliar or rough terrain.
Wildlife safety
- Never approach wild animals.
- Never leave food out. Place food in sealed containers and place in a locked environment (e.g. a car or hanging from a tree downwind of the campsite).
- Don’t eat unfamiliar vegetation.
- Don’t drink unfamiliar water. Use water purifiers and/or boil water when using unknown water sources.