Safety
Stay Safe Outdoors!
When you’re outdoors, you could run into bugs, animals, poisonous plants, and other risks and dangers. Keep these safety tips in mind on your adventures:
- Know the parks and places you’re going to visit before you get there.
- Follow any park rules and respect the environment. Take trash home.
- Never hike alone, and let others know where you’re going.
- Keep your valuables safe — lock them in your vehicle or take them with you.
- Protect yourself from the sun — wear a hat and use sunscreen.
- Stay hydrated — bring water along and drink even if you aren’t thirsty.
- Stay alert for the weather and seek safe shelter if it gets dangerous.
- Watch your step — logs, branches, roots, and rocks can trip you up!
- Poison ivy, oak, or sumac might be near a trail or post — be careful!
- Look out for wild things — spiders, snakes, bugs, and other critters.
- Keep annoying bugs away — use bug repellent spray or other products.
- Use caution around all bodies of water — ponds, rivers, and streams.
Summer Pedestrian Safety
Whether you are walking to school, the park, or a friend’s house, here are a few simple tips to make sure you get there safely:
- Heads Up – Put phones, headphones and devices down and make eye contact with drivers before crossing the street.
- Be Bright, Be Seen – If you are walking when it’s dark out, be especially alert and make sure you are visible to drivers. Wear light or brightly colored clothing and reflective gear.
- Always - Look left, right, and left again before crossing the street and stay alert!
- Walking Safely – It’s always best to walk on sidewalks or paths and cross at street corners, using traffic signals and crosswalks. If there are no sidewalks, walk facing traffic as far to the left as possible.
For more tips on walking safety, visit Safe Kids Worldwide at SafeKids.org.
