Be Active-Be Safe

With almost anything we do, being safe should be a priority.

Even physical activity has some general safety tips:

Carry identification or emergency contact information with you at all times.

Drink water before, during, and after exercise.

Let someone know where you are doing and how long you’ll be gone if you’ll be by yourself.

Carry a cell phone if you have one.

Prepare for all types of weather.

Wear comfortable, good fitting socks and shoes suitable for physical activity.

Dress to be seen. Wear brightly-colored clothing with reflective materials at night.

Take a familiar route. Be active in public places.

Avoid isolated trails, paths, or poorly-lit areas.

When approaching another walker, jogger or bicyclist from behind, give a verbal warning before passing them.

In most cases, being active in all types of weather is safe.

However, it’s important to prepare ahead of time:

When it’s cold, dress properly.

The layered look is in!

Start with a material that draws sweat away from the body and dries quickly, like synthetic material. Next layer should be wool or cotton.

And a third layer should be chosen to keep the cold air or rain out, like Gore-Tex.

Remember, you can take layers off as your body temperature rises.

Protect your head. Wear a hat to keep the heat from escaping.

Also, mittens should be chosen instead of gloves because your fingers warm each other.

Drink your water. Even if it doesn’t feel like you’re sweating and losing water, you are!

Drink before, during, and after exercise.

When it’s hot, exercise in the early morning or after the sun sets.

Take frequent rests, and drink often.

We can never say it enough, drink before, during, and after exercise.

If you feel thirsty, you are already dehydrated.

Wear light, loose-fitting clothes made of breathable fabrics.

Exercise indoors during ozone alerts or on extremely hot days.

Protect your skin with sunscreen and a hat.

And, most importantly, listen to your body.

If you feel chest pain, shortness of breath, dizziness, or nauseated, stop what you’re doing.

And finally, let’s talk about your feet!

Keep them happy with properly fitted tennis shoes and cotton socks.

Check your feet after exercising for any cuts or blisters and care for them properly.

Replace your shoes when the bottom of your shoes are worn or slick.

We promise, having happy feet is a big part of the physical activity equation.