Have a Safe Yet Enjoyable Walk in the Woods
Up for a hike with the family? While taking a walk in the woods can be enjoyable, there are definitely some things to be mindful of in the interest of your safety, as well as the safety of your family and friends.
Stay on designated trails - Most people who hike often know that there are easy trails, where the terrain is fairly level and without obstacles... and there are more strenuous trails that may lead up mountains, onto rocky terrain, and over sloped areas that pose risk to less experienced or less able-bodied hikers. The trails are marked by different colors, such as red, white, blue, green, orange, etc. If you aren't sure which colors mean what, spend some time looking at the hiking trail map. Or, talk with a park ranger or hiker who is familiar with this trail and can guide you safely.
Select a trail that matches the ability level of the weakest person in your group - Just because you're a practiced hiker who can leap like a mountain goat over rough, rocky terrain doesn't mean that everybody else can nor should they be expected to. Be courteous to less experienced hikers, young and older people in particular, as well as pregnant women who may not be up for the challenge.
Keep your dog leashed - It's so tempting to just let your dog run free on the hiking trail. And in terms of obstacles you encounter along the way, yes - your dog may be a better hiker than you are. But if this is a park facility then there will be other dog owners there too. Keep your dog leashed for the safety of all, even while hiking what appears to be the most remote of all trails.
Try to keep pace with other groups - Hiking is a very solitary activity. You may not see another living human for an hour... or you may see a bunch of groups. It really depends on the time of year, level of difficulty of the trail you selected, weather conditions, time of day and other factors. It's a good practice to try and keep pace with other groups of people. If one group gets lost, the other may be able to guide the way. Or if someone is hurt, you can send the other group to get help.
Bring a charged cell phone just in case - Thankfully, remote isn't always that remote in this modern day and age. So take advantage of a good safety item - the cell phone! Keep yours charged and on your person during hiking expeditions. One useful thing about having your cell on a hike is that if you decide not to go the full trail, you can navigate your way to a shortcut that meets the road.
Keep a back pack with plenty of bottled water - It's important to stay hydrated, especially if hiking during the summer months. Bottled water, or even the old fashioned canteen, will be a welcome sight during those parched moments when you've been hauling it up a hill for a good hour or so with the sun beating down.
Don't forget the first aid kit - Hopefully, you'll never have to use it - but if someone gets cut or scraped while on the trail, a first aid kit with Bactine and band-aids will be a welcome and comforting sight. This is especially true if you have young campers along on the trip.
Dress for tick protection - Deer ticks carry the dreaded Lyme and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. Take precaution by wearing long sleeves, long pants, and tying up or putting a cap over long hair before heading out into the deep woods for a hike.
If you see a bear, make a lot of noise - Hiking in Bear Country? Bears typically don't bother humans, and are only after a potential snack. But mother bears can become defensive if they see you as a threat to their cubs. If you spot a bear in the woods and there's no avoiding it, spread out your limbs to appear bigger, clap your hands together and make a lot of noise. This is said to scare off bears so they'll leave you alone.
Avoid smoking cigarettes in the woods - Prevent forest fires by not smoking in the woods. Smoking and hiking are two activities that don't mix anyway.
A walk in the wood is great to relax and have fun. But that fun can stop in a hot second when something bad happens to a family member or friend. So don’t let anything ruin your adventure by following these few simple hiking safety tips.
Psst… This can be great to bring along:
>> Kids Nature Walk Printables (with PLR)
See you tomorrow to discover another frugal way to have fun this summer!
Your happy WAHM, Stephanie Gilbert
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