Safety While Walking

The following tips are designed not only for our downtown walks, but also to give you guidance walking anywhere.

Safety Smarts

It’s unfortunate, but like any other type of physical activity, walking can result in injuries and accidents. However, many of these mishaps can be avoided if you properly plan and follow a few guidelines.

1. Walk in numbers.
2. Wear colors that are bright and reflect in the night. 
3. Walk in lighted areas at night. 
4. Carry a whistle or cell phone to use if you need help. 
5. Tell someone when you’re going for a walk and when they should expect you back. Always carry identification and emergency numbers. 
6. If you’re walking alone, select a route that is highly visible to other people—if others can see you, you’ll increase your safety. 
7. Walk so that oncoming traffic is facing you. 
8. Use crosswalks when crossing streets and obey traffic signals. 
9. Bring your dog with you. 
10. If you wear a headset for an i-Pod or MP3 player, try to keep the volume to a low enough level so you are still aware of your surroundings.

Dodging Dogs

Tips on avoiding dog attacks

1. Maintain a safe distance between yourself and the dog—even if it is being walked on a leash.
2. Don’t always assume it is all right to approach a dog—always ask permission from the owner before doing so.
3. Never approach a dog that is barking, snarling, sleeping, eating, or nursing.
4. Avoid staring a dog in the eyes.
5. Keep an object between you and the dog, such as a tree, post, or bench.
6. Speak softly to a dog to calm it—“Good dog, it’s OK, go home.”
7. Contact local police to report unleashed, aggressive dogs.
8. Use pepper spray when charged by a dog—be sure your local law allows this.

Slow and Steady Wins the Race

If there is one mistake you want to avoid when exercising it is this: Over-doing it. Plain and simple, if you push your body harder than it’s ready to be pushed, you’ll most likely injure yourself. Whether it’s muscle soreness, sprains, or strains, it could be enough to temporarily set you back or even worse, sideline you for good—something you definitely don’t want to happen! Just remember, everyone is different— even a stroll is better than nothing. A friend or co-worker might notice positive results of physical activity right away, but this doesn’t necessarily mean that you will. Don’t get discouraged. It might take longer than you like, but if you stay on track without over doing it, you’re going to reap benefits.
© 2001 Wellness Councils of America