University of Texas. Before you head off on a walk, you should inform someone about where you are going and what time you expect to be back by. Before I get into safety advice I want to address the questions I often get… So ditch the headphones. Preparing for adverse weather whilst walking, Walking with children: Ideas for even more fun, Minimising the ecological impact of walking. How can someone watch a colleague’s back if that colleague is working alone and out of sight? If walking by yourself, hold your cell phone and be ready to make an emergency call. It can be rewarding to walk and hike alone, but you also need to do it safely. You certainly don’t want to get caught in a thunderstorm. You can build up confidence ready to extend those walks next time. What happens if you get lost and get cold as the evening draws in? Walkers should always take plenty of water (or other suitable beverage) with them, as dehydration seriously affects energy levels. One of the many draws about walking in Britain is that you can do it as part of a group or you can do it alone. Would-be attackers are looking for easy targets at night. While walking alone isn’t ideal, it’s a reality and one you must be prepared to deal with. Darren Laur and his wife Beth Laur began teaching self-defense classes and safety seminars in 1993, and have since reached thousands of women. When you are walking on your own, you should always stick to footpaths or stay within the boundaries of open access areas. Always check with your doctor before starting an exercise program. Don’t be afraid of asking other hikers for help – they have almost certainly had issues themselves before, and will help set you back on track, supply you with some plasters, or either give you water or tell you where you can top up your bottle. Dr. Grace provides tips to make sure your next walk is a safe one. No-one will look out for you or be able to help you get over your situation. To help you stay safe and to make your night-time journeys more bearable, we’ve listed seven tips for staying safe when walking at night. When you go out walking by yourself, it is normal to have to carry a bit more weight so that you can make sure that you have adequate provisions and all of the necessary safety equipment. This article is meant to provide you with tips and not to scare you from traveling by yourself. These areas may not be safe, which means that you might actually be putting yourself in harm’s way. Safety Tips for Walking Alone. Adequate provisions. A lone worker can be anyone who works alone in a fixed facility or away from his or her typical base. What is more, you may be trespassing if you walk away from the footpath in certain areas. You may have planned your route for weeks, and you think you know it well. If you are heading out alone but no-one knows where you are, what happens if you do get into trouble? Coronavirus: our advice for walking . But even so, make sure you take a map or guidebook with you. Walk at a steady pace and walk facing traffic to keep yourself visible. Learn Self-Defense. Since then we have had hundreds of lovely walks, and I thought it would be good to share some of the things I've learned along the way. First shown in 2018, I watched Britain's Favourite Walks Top 100 today, presented by Julia Bradbury and Ore Oduba. Safety tips for walking alone Know your limitations. Have you got a sun hat and sun block, as well as enough water? You should make sure that it is charged up before you head out. Walking Home Alone: Safety Tips. Knowing your limitations will help you to plan a route that you can do without putting yourself in danger or without getting into difficulties. Keep Your Keys Close. On the other hand, they will have a rough idea of where you might be if they cannot get in contact with you. And having got very muddy the... Britains' Favourite Walks - Top 100 with Julia Bradbury and Ore Oduba. It was about ten o’clock in the evening as I walked from the BART train station to my home four blocks away. Carry some sort of protection device. Whilst it’s great to walk with others, at times it’s not always possible, and some people even prefer to walk alone. If the phone has a short battery life, keep it turned off in case you need it later on. If you do have to walk, stick to busy places where is a lot of activity CCTV and good lighting. Carry a can of pepper spray in your pocket and have your hand on it. Your instincts are built on knowledge and experience, and should therefore be relied on when you are out by yourself. It is worth noting that it should be possible to call 999 using any network, even if you do not have phone signal with your standard network provider. And you won’t want to slip whilst coming up or down a mountain at any time, but especially if you are all alone. 1114 Pexels Unfortunately, sexual assault and other violent crimes are prevalent on college campuses across the country. Consider doing an easy out and back route, rather than a circular route – it’s much easier to get lost on the latter. Personal safety has become an issue of importance for everyone, but especially for women Concerned about this state of affairs, Sgt. Always … Still, prevention is an important start and a significant aspect of these 50 tips on solo travel safety. The more I read up and learn about walking in different seasons, the more often I hear people say that gaiters are essential equipment for people walking or hiking. It’s better to start small, maybe going for just a couple of miles, on a route that you have done before, than to plan an epic journey. If you are new to exercise, here are some important health and safety tips so you can start your walking program off on the right foot. I believe it's mostly because I think in terms of prevention. Mariessa Mesa. Try to avoid walking alone at night in places such as parks and side streets or any unfamiliar environment. in Life Hacks. Depending on the laws in your state, you may want to consider pepper spray or mace, a self-defense alarm or a self-defense flashlight. And that goes for water too – don’t run out and get dehydrated way before you finish. That way you can easily refer to it regularly, to make sure you are en route. Remember though: basic hiking training and … --If you are walking alone at night, stay near well lit places of business and well lit walk ways. Go one step further and preset one of … Things happen! If you are worried someone is following you, turn around. A key component of worker safety is to watch out for one another. Don’t ignore or avoid the situation, instead educate and prepare yourself for the situation. Top 11 Tips for Pedestrian Safety: Walking Safety Rules Walking is a simple, low-impact activity that people of almost any age can do to help stay in shape, but there are still dangers. This inner voice acts as a companion and helps you to make important decisions about your own safety. Although there are big “rambling” associations which promote communal walking, other people prefer to enjoy the tranquillity of walking alone. Here are seven crucial safety tips for women walking alone at night. On the other hand, if you are walking as part of a group it is possible to carry necessary safety equipment (torch, bivvy bag etc) spread evenly across the group. Did you know one crash-related pedestrian death occurs every two hours? 5 Essentials For Women Walking Alone at Night. There are a variety of precautions that you can take to ensure your safety while walking at night. In most cases, this will just involve them giving you a call on your phone to see whether you have been delayed. But you don’t have to take my word alone for it. Walking or running alone may increase your chance of being attacked. 5 Safety Tips For Walking Alone At Night These tips will help you avoid and escape an attacker. However, for most people, it can seem like an unnecessary risk to take. 1. Keep within your limits and save those times for when you have someone with you. Avoid alleys and other poorly lit, closed spaces that might allow an attacker the advantage of surprise. This shouldn’t be as much of an issue in the UK as if you are in the wilds of Africa or America, but be aware of the local wildlife. If you have a fear of cows it’s better to steer clear rather than find yourself in amongst them before it’s too late to turn round. Before you head off, let your best friend or partner know your route, and an approximation of how long you will be. Especially if it’s a route you have done only once and may have gone wrong then (me and Nicky almost always go wrong first time). Reflective clothing is important too so that cars see you. Apr 11, 2008 Last night I was heading downtown to see a friend. Tips on staying safe if you go out walking alone. When you are planning your route for the day, you need to consider your own limitations. 1. Read this before you go out alone! However, it’s important to be aware that walking with others can be safer. Mark your route to the nearest ranger stations. 1) Keep Your Keys Ready 3. Getting the balance right between allowing children their independence and ensuring their safety when away from home can be difficult. Here are some tips for safe walking when you are by yourself. The truth is, you already have the skills you need to stay safe when you travel. 4. And if you try to tackle large hills that you have never been on you may find that you struggle more than you expect. Stay Safe When Walking Alone at Night. Many phones now have a button on the screen to dial 911 immediately. As much as headphones can be good for motivation and entertainment, when you are hiking alone you need to have your wits around you, and that means being able to hear what’s happening around you. By Deanne Hess. So either pick a popular route that you know will have plenty of other people hiking, or one that you have walked before, ideally several times. Don’t over estimate your own capabilities. If you are going to be hiking alone for more than a few hours, you will need to ensure that you have food with you, unless you plan to stop in a village or town. This means that they will be able to take appropriate action if you are not back by the time that you originally expected to arrive. Level crossings. If they don;’t get a reply then they know there is a chance that you may be in danger, and that they could consider raising an alarm. We doubt this will happen, but if you do find that you have either gone drastically wrong, or that you suddenly realise you have no chance of finishing your walk safely, then it could well be easier to turn round and retrace your steps than going on. If you meet someone en route and they just make you feel uncomfortable, trust your instincts... 10 – Check your map. Either way walking at night can be a daunting and nerve-wracking experience. Here are several practical safety tips that can help you avoid dangerous situations on the road or trail: ... Beginner Tips for Treadmill Running and Walking. link to Britains' Favourite Walks - Top 100 with Julia Bradbury and Ore Oduba, Preparation: Safety Tips For Hiking Alone Before You Set Off, Safety whilst hiking alone: Tips for you to remember whilst walking, Conclusion – 15 Safety Tips For Hiking Alone, don’t want to get caught in a thunderstorm. Apr 06, 2016. Keep your pace steady and head for the nearest store or restaurant to ask for directions. You should make sure that you have enough food to keep you going throughout the day, but you should also pack some high calorie emergency rations as well. Staying in these areas will make it much easier for search teams to find you if they need to come out to look for you for whatever reason. Always Have Your Phone With You. You probably can walk further, quicker or higher than your normal limits. By following these 15 safety tips you will be able to go hiking alone with confidence, ready to enjoy your walk whilst getting home safely ready to plan your next walk. Whenever it is possible, try to walk with a friend or a dog. Having your key available reduces the amount of … Call and tell them the landmarks you have reached – if you do experience issues later on and they come looking for you they will know to check from the last landmark that you told them about onwards. We alluded to this in your preparation, but make sure that the map or guidebook that you remembered to bring with you is actually checked, rather than just being something you are carrying. 5 Safety Tips for Walking Alone at Night (Bruce Lee) Bruce Lee’s safety tips for walking alone deals with two common-sense factors: Avoid any blind spots, as it reduces the chances of you getting caught off-guard. Stay safe by not putting yourself at risk of natural features. You don’t want to choose somewhere remote, that you have never been to before. Will gaiters keep my trousers clean and dry? Hiking alone is such an amazing experience that everyone should do it at least once in their lives! You may not come across alligators or bears, but you may find yourself in a field of cows or maybe startled deer. However, lone work presents a fundamental challenge to watchfulness. River crossings can be slippery and dangerous with tides that run faster than you think. How to Stay Safe at Night When Walking Alone Walk with purpose and don’t stop.. This made great viewing for New Year's Day 2021 - a nice way to plan some walks for... Hi I'm Paul, I have taken up walking since my partner Nicky rescued our dog, Paco, from the streets of Romania through a charity, Perrera Dogs UK. If you are planning a full days walk, you should make sure that you will get back before the sun sets. A healthy walker will normally cover about 3 to 4 miles per hour over even ground, but distance covered per hour will reduce when going uphill or over boggy terrain. Don't wear headphones: Your ears are an important piece of sensing danger. Walking isn't without risk, but statistics show it’s safer walking in the countryside than on a city street. This site is owned and operated by Paul Gent. Avoid being distracted by your cellphone, and avoid dark alleyways and parking lots where people can easily hide. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); link to Will gaiters keep my trousers clean and dry? If you are not feeling particularly comfortable about doing something, you should avoid doing it. They’re the same skills you use at home to stay safe. It’s better to realise you have gone off route sooner rather than later, and you can either correct or head back to where you went wrong. That way if they haven’t heard from you by that time they can try to contact you. So keep your exhilarating walks for when you are in the company of others and can share them. For example, if you are worried about the changes in the weather, then you should trust your instincts and change your plans accordingly. Always keep your keys close at hand when you are walking home alone. 2. Written by Ci. Before you set off, check the weather forecast for the rest of the day. You may even consider heightening your hearing through listening techniques. It’s better to be safe to try another day, maybe with a friend, than to stumble on getting more and more lost. There is no phone signal in many rural areas in Britain, but carrying a mobile phone with you will allow you to contact the emergency services as soon as possible if something does happen. With these tips, you can learn how to stay safe at night by equipping yourself with the right tools. Trust your gut When out alone at night, your instincts are your best friend. General safety rules. So make sure you take a little extra, just in case you do get stuck somehow and need to keep yourself nourished. It is essential for all women walking alone at night to be conscious of their surrounding and not be in their own world with their headphones. You may come across some difficulties – maybe getting lost, issues with blisters or maybe running out of water. Here are some ways to protect yourself if you’re hiking alone. Before moving from field to field take time to look up and see if there are any wildlife present. Safety whilst hiking alone: Tips for you to remember whilst walking 9 – Meeting other hikers. In order to keep yourself safe as a pedestrian, there are a few rules of thumb you need to keep in mind. Give them the phone number of your emergency contact in case you don’t return on time. You never know when you might need to … This will be a great help in the unlikely event that a search party needs to be mobilised. I set myself up for safety. When you are planning your route for the day, you need to consider your own limitations. But when you are out hiking alone is not the time to test those limits. Staying safe can be easy if you prepare well at any time, but especially if you are planning to hike alone. Many crimes are opportunistic and the sight of someone ... Have Suitable Clothing. True, no amount of prevention is a guarantee of safety. Most of the time, walking alone at night is perfectly safe. Personal attacks and assaults from strangers are rare, however you should take care and follow these basic rules to keep safe. Make sure to tell them what your name is, how long you plan on hiking, and what time and day you think you will be back. I asked 30 other solo female travelers to give me their best safety tips for traveling alone, and this is … A... Update contacts. If it is dark or dim, be certain to carry a flashlight while you’re walking. You should never take unnecessary risks whilst you are out walking by yourself. Most people hiking are friendly and safe, but if you feel uneasy, look for an escape route or latch onto other groups of people hiking – there’s safety in numbers. He or she may require that you have a physical exam or give you special instructions based on your medical history. If you are heading out for your first solo hike, take it easy. Get our top tips for walking safety for children. And if there is a chance of it getting dark, ensure you have packed a head torch to help show the way. Especially if we’re unfamiliar with the area. If you do decide to walk alone, it is important that you take special precautions to keep you safe. Make sure you have a lightweight mid-layer and/or waterproof jacket. Advice for walkers when crossing a railway line using a level crossing. It is a good idea to plan the walk so that it finishes at least an hour before sunset, so that you won’t get caught out if you are delayed for whatever reason. Safety How to keep safe and tips for dealing with different situations that you may encounter when out and about walking. Stay safe and learn how to fight back with these effective safety tips. When walking at night, make sure you walk confidently and with a purpose. One of the most effective ways to prepare children is to start young and practise through real experience, like walking to school, the park or the playground. 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