ST. PAUL – Summer is the season for many outdoor activities like camping or using all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) for recreation, which may lead to some undesirable incidents.
According to information from the Alberta Health Services, Alberta reported close to 9,500 ATV-related visits to the emergency department and urgent care centres between 2015 and 2022.
ATV Safety
In St. Paul, Director of Protective Services and St. Paul Fire Chief Trevor Kotowich, says that Fire Services, EMS, and RCMP throughout the County of St. Paul do respond to emergencies involving ATVs.
To avoid incidents, Kotowich reminds the public to exercise the utmost caution, including always wearing protective gear and helmet; avoiding public roads where other traffic is involved; and riding an ATV right for your size and age.
Also, “Follow the rules of the road, especially when riding on the Iron Horse Trail,” he added, and respect private landowners and their property.
He also reminds others to clean their ATV’s exhaust during dry conditions. “We have experienced fires that have been ignited by improperly maintained ATV exhaust.”
Camping Safety
When camping, “we always encourage people to have fun,” he said. “But a camping mishap can quickly turn into a nightmare.”
Some important safety tips to remember include keeping an eye on the weather. “Make sure to keep an eye on the weather forecast before your trip. Weather can change in a blink of an eye, which means you need to be prepared,” he said.
Kotowich also asks the public to keep their campfires small and attended. Most campgrounds and parks have fire pits already in place.
He also said most RVs come equipped with a fire extinguisher. “Ensure yours is in place and properly maintained.”
Carbon monoxide (CO) can also be an issue, and build up can lead to dangerous incidents.
“Carbon monoxide is colourless and odourless. Never use gas stoves, lanterns, heaters, in an enclosed shelter. This can lead to the build-up of dangerous levels of carbon monoxide. Most RVs have CO detectors. Ensure yours is functioning properly.”
