Safety Tips Regarding Hiking Trails

Each year, thousands of people discover that walking and hiking on North Carolina’s national forests and local trails can be both safe and healthy fun, if you follow a few tips:

• Outdoor Plan: Cell connectivity in many national parks is limited or non-existent. Tell a responsible person back at camp or at home where you are going and when you plan on returning. Ask that person to notify local law enforcement if you do not return on time.

• Hike with a friend or family member. The companionship in the great outdoors is fun and you can encourage one another to meet your fitness goals.

• Don’t walk off-trail. Do not walk off-trail or enter closed areas. Cutting across switchbacks erodes the hillside and eventually destroys the trail. Plus, walking off-trail increases your chance of suffering an injury or getting lost.

• Be courteous and observe trail etiquette. Communicate with others and step aside to yield, if possible, when others approach you on a trail. Alert those in front if you wish to pass.

• Take plenty of drinking water. Leave stream, river and lake water for the park wildlife. Although it looks clean and refreshing, mountain stream water can make you ill. Drink and carry plenty of water (a minimum of 1 quart every two hours).

• Shoes or boots: Always wear sturdy, comfortable shoes or boots.

• Never feed or try to touch wildlife. Do not approach or attempt to move sick or injured wildlife. Please report any encounters with aggressive, sick or injured animals to a forest or park ranger.

• Wildlife lives in all national forests and park trails, even near urban areas. Although rare, black bears, mountain lions and rattlesnakes may be seen. If you encounter wildlife on the trail, keep your distance, back away slowly and do not run. Report your sightings to a forest or park ranger.

• Snakes: Always know where you are stepping. For example, if you must traverse a log that has fallen across the trail, rather than just stepping over the log, first step up onto the log then step down once you know the coast is clear. Be cautious when climbing rocks or picking up firewood. If you see a snake, maintain a distance of at least 6 feet. Most bites occur when people get too close or try to touch them.

• Ticks: Populations are expected to rise again this season. Take the following precautions to avoid them. Walk in the middle of trails. Use insect repellent. Tuck your pants into your socks. After taking off gear, check for hitchhiking ticks. Always do a “tick-check” with the help of a friend.

• Poison Ivy/Oak: It is a common plant throughout the area. Learn to identify both by their shiny, three-leaf pattern, and avoid touching it. If you touch poison ivy or poison oak, wash immediately with water and mild soap. Pat dry with a clean towel.

Enjoy the outdoor! Be adventurous … but within reason … and stay safe.

Clay County Fire & Rescue

Week of June 21 – 27, 2023 Total calls = 31 Medical Assist Calls – 17 Citizen Assist Calls – 3 Residential Fire Calls - 3 Dispatched, No Incident Found - 3 Dispatched, Cancelled En Route – 2 Electrical Wiring/Equipment Problem – 1 Brush Fire Call - 1 Motor Vehicle Accident - 1