The City of West Kelowna is asking residents to keep the community safe by managing the wildlife attractants around your home.

As bears prepare for winter denning they are in search of easily accessible food sources and one of those food sources is garbage put out by residents.

Bears have already been spotted in several West Kelowna neighbourhoods.

WildSafeBC has tips that residents can follow to keep wildlife wild and prevent conflicts.

91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ¢ Putting out garbage only on the morning of collection

91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ¢ Kindly encouraging neighbours to put out their garbage at the appropriate times too, and offering to help out if they are unable to do so

91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ¢ Securing garbage on non-collection days

91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ¢ Keeping your garbage bin clean

91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ¢ Not depositing food in un-secured garbage bins in parks or construction areas

91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ¢ Keeping barbecues clean and covered

91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ¢ Picking ripe fruit, cleaning up any fallen fruit, and mixing these attractants well into your compost

91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ¢ Putting away and cleaning up any bird seed and pet food

Report human-wildlife conflicts to the BC Conservation Officer Service at 1-877-952-7277.

For more information, contact WildSafeBC at okwestside@wildsafebc.com or 250-862-7336.