Stay Safe & Alert

Helpful Tips for Joggers and Walkers

Exercising and keeping fit is a way of life for many people. Walking or running is an inexpensive, easy eay to stay in shape. People who travel often find it an excellent way to maintain a workout routine while keeping a busy schedule.

Many communities have started walking clubs or offer a clubhouse for its members to exercise in privacy and safety. These clubhouses also offer the opportunity to meet new people and join groups. Although clubs not always available, the following tips may be helpful:

• Avoid waling a long and at night. Stay in well-lit areas, well-populated areas, away from bushes, alleys and parked vehicles.
• Don't take shortcuts through vacant lots, parks or fields
• Always awlk facing vehicular traffic so you can observe the behavior of on-coming cars
• Wear comfortable-fitting clothing and s hows for freedom of movement. Don't overload yourself with heavy packages.
• If you sense that you're being followed, go to the nearest well-lit area, open business or where you see other people gathered.
• Neverh hithhike or accept a ride from a stranger
• Be alert and aware of your surroundings. Stay a safe distance away from others you don't know to avoid being grabbed or dragged into a vahicle

Running or Walking in the Dark

Let's face it, we can't all find the time to exercise during the daylight hours, so it's important to take extra precautions when you're out in the early hours of the morning or evening hours.

An alternative to walking or jogging outdoors is an indoor treadmill or a an indoor track, such as those offered by exercise clubs. Stay off the streets and find a well-lit area to exercise. If none of these options are available to you, think about these tips before you leave:

• Going out in the dark means that you will need to think about how well others see and identify you from a distance. Wear some sort of reflective clothing that can be detected by others far away. Many athletic shoes now have built-in reflective bands for this purpose.
• Keep your eyes on the road. Wet or slick spots cannot be seen until it's too late
• Be alert at all times. Evening hours are prime time for muggers and other criminals.

Tips for Shopping Mall Walkers

Malls offer a great place for you and your family to get out and relax. Whether you're shopping for a few things or just out for some exercise, walking in an indoor Mall should be a safe and pleasurable experience.

Here are a few tips to make that trip to the Mall a happy and safe one:

• Park as close as you can to the building in a well-lit parking space
• Always lock your car doors after leaving or entering your car
• Have your keys ready in hand before you get to your car. You do not want to be standing in front of your car funbling and looking for your keys.
• Check under your car as you approach it, look to see of you have a flat tire or a tire low on air, look for suspicious liquids coming from underneath your car, look in the back seat before entering the car
• Pay attention to your surroundings and walk briskly and with confidence
• Teach your children how to go for help if they become separated from you. Each child should have emergency contact information on them so that officials know how to contact you.
• Be careful at Automatic Teller Machines (ATM) locations and pay by check or credit card when possible