Local

Safety tips: Hiking on Florida trails

By Kelly Healey

Blue Springs State Park

By Kelly Healey

Here are some hiker safety tips from the Florida Trail Association:

- Carry a map or a compass
- Bring spare food and a signaling device (a mirror or whistle)
- Hike with a buddy whenever possible and/or leave an itinerary at home or with someone you can trust to come looking for you if you don’t call in.
- Avoid dehydration: Always carry water and drink plenty of it. Long stretches of trail may provide no shade or little water; heat exhaustion is a major concern.

- To avoid sunburn: Wear a hat, preferably a wide-brimmed one, and loose lightweight clothing that covers your arms and legs. If your arms or legs are bare, slather on the sunscreen. Wear a wet bandana around your neck or over your head to keep yourself cool.

- On hot days, always hit the trail at daybreak and try to finish hiking before noon.
Important side note: Even in the cooler months, temperatures can soar, and if you’re not hydrated, heat exhaustion will set in.
For more information go to the Florida Trail Association's website.

Cox Media Group

Most Read