Bears are out of hibernation and have been spotted around town. One bear has already been put down, says Shauna McInnis, who will be running the Bear Aware program again this year.

McInnis says the bear was destroyed near the Kimberley Centex (formerly Husky) for getting into garbage.

Bears are a fact of life in Kimberley, but there are a number of actions you can take to ensure you don't have any problems.

The Ministry of Environment Conservation Officer Service provides the following tips:

Once bears learn that it's okay to seek out food in your backyard, they can damage your property and they pose a potential safety hazard. You can help keep bears away from your home by removing any bear-attracting food sources and clearing away any dense brush that could provide cover.

If a bear comes into your backyard try to startle and scare it away by flashing lights and making lots of loud noises. Let the bear know that it is not welcome in your home. However, if the bear is already food-conditioned leave it alone and contact your local Conservation Service Officer for help as these bears can be aggressive.

Bears are lured into peoples' backyards by:

• household garbage

• pet and livestock food

• bird feeders

• food scraps and smells from uncleaned barbeques

• compost bins

• orchards

• garden produce

How you can help:

Household garbage

Household garbage is the single biggest killer of bears. When people allow bears to access garbage, they help create "problem" bears that are usually destroyed.

During the early spring to late fall, keep garbage behind closed doors in your garage, basement or storage area. Garbage that is left in open carports or in your backyard is an easy target for bears.

Put your garbage out on the morning of collection day and not the night before. This is a bylaw in the City of Kimberley. Avoid stockpiling garbage as this is a good way to attract bears.

If you take your garbage to the dump yourself, make sure that it is stored behind closed doors and take it to the dump on a frequent basis.

Thoroughly clean your garbage containers every 2-3 days.

Bears help themselves to all kinds of pet food. To avoid attracting bears, feed your pets indoors. If you must feed them outside, only put out enough food for a single meal and keep empty pet dishes inside. Store pet food inside your house.

If you see a bear in your community remain calm. Often the bear is just passing through looking for food.

Keep away from the bear, bring your children and pets indoors and warn your neighbours.

If the bear is threatening, persistent or aggressive, call the Conservation Service Officer in your area or your local police.