2024 Outdoor Safety Tips: A Guide to Safe Outdoor Activities

In a world that thrives on technological advancements and fast-paced living, one constant continues to captivate and nourish our souls — nature. Heading outdoors, whether you’re hiking up a mountain or appreciating a stunning sunrise, has the huge benefit of lowering stress and anxiety.

Lots of people discovered (or rediscovered) nature during COVID-19 lockdowns, and that newfound love seems to have stuck. In 2023, the Outdoor Industry Association reported recent increases in diversity among outdoor participants and growth in categories such as camping, fishing, skateboarding, and sport climbing.

Of course, nature does have its downsides. Coming down with a sunburn or getting lost can put a serious crimp in your day. No thanks! Good thing you have this handy guide. Read on for tips so you don’t get attacked by bears or end up with horrible sunburn or a painful bout of chafing.

Expert Quotes on
Outdoor Safety and Health

Running
and Jogging

• Go with at least one other person or a dog
• Avoid wearing earphones
• Change up your route so you stay alert
• Run against traffic and obey all traffic rules and signals
• Carry mace or pepper spray if it is legal in your state (if not, try a folding knife)
• Warm up before starting the run or jog
• Stop right away if you notice trouble such as muscle pain
• Choose shoes that absorb shock and that provide good support
• Wear flexible or cushioned shoes if your feet are high arched
• Wear motion control or stability shoes if your feet are flat
• Pick shoes with extra stability, durability or traction if running or jogging in inclement weather
• Avoid cotton socks
• Run or jog on well-maintained trails instead of those populated with lots of fallen branches, poison ivy or overgrowth
• Avoid making eye contact if encountering an aggressive dog. Retreat slowly and calmly
• Carry a cellphone and whistle

Hiking

• Do a few easy hikes before undertaking a more complicated endeavor
• Pace yourself to conserve energy
• Wear waterproof boots with ankle support and thick soles
• Lace boots tightly but leave room to wiggle your toes
• Break boots in before hiking
• Hike with others
• Avoid days with extreme weather or temperatures
• Stay hydrated
• Choose snacks such as energy bars, trail mix and beef jerky
• Stay on the trail

Camping

• Check the weather report before you go camping
• Bring a first aid kit
• Bring emergency supplies such as a compass, map and insect repellent
• Arrive early so you have sufficient time to set up your shelter
• Choose a site with shrubs or trees to protect against wind
• Check the site for glass, bugs, poison ivy, ant beds and other no-nos
• Wash or sanitize your hands to prevent making others ill, especially before you handle food and after you’ve used the bathroom
• Make sure that someone is attending any fires at all times
• Keep fires far enough from the tent so that an errant flame or spark won’t catch the tent on fire
• Use tent fabrics that are flame retardant
• Keep your campsite clean to prevent wildlife from intruding
• Be aware of any poisonous plants that may be at the campsite

Swimming

• Stay out of the water unless you know how to swim
• Always swim with at least one other person
• Swim only where there are lifeguards
• Swim in a river or lake only if you have the strength to handle currents
• Float with a current if you get stuck instead of fighting it
• Dive in areas you know are safe
• Avoid jumping on others or pushing them
• Don’t drink alcohol

Bicycling

• Wear helmets that fit well and that meet safety standards
• Ride single file in the direction of traffic
• Watch for car doors
• Be extra careful at intersections
• Use hand signals to alert others to your moves
• Ride during the day whenever possible
• Wear bright clothing for visibility
• Wear reflective clothing if bicycling at night or in low light
• Use reflectors on the bike, and ideally, a horn/bell, rearview mirror and bright headlight
• Practice on your bike in car-free areas before venturing onto roads

Canoeing
and kayaking

• Wear a life jacket
• Go with at least two other people if using only one craft, or go with two crafts
• Work your way up to a new skill level instead of jumping into rapids or rivers you’re unprepared for
• Check water levels before you set out
• Know the features of the water (Low and slow or high or fast? Rocky crevices, hidden rocks, deep waters?)
• Sit on the seats
• Don’t stand when away from shore
• Reserve canoeing and kayaking for decent weather
• Pack first aid kits, extra clothes, maps, sunscreen, water and snacks in waterproof bags
• Tie your items to the canoe in case of a tip over
• Bring a canoeing whistle
• Bring a rope in case you need to tow another craft or pull someone in

Sledding
and tobogganing

• Wear a helmet
• Put on heavy boots and thick gloves
• Use sleds that have steering mechanisms and brakes
• Stay with children while they sled, especially if they’re 10 or younger
• Use equipment that is in good condition
• Don’t use equipment if it has cracks or sharp edges
• Choose gentle slopes with plenty of level room for the sled to stop at the end
• Avoid slopes with obstructions such as trees, poles, fences and rocks
• Avoid sledding in areas with ponds, rivers, streams and lakes
• Point your feet downhill instead of sledding head first

Skiing and snowboarding

• Wear helmets
• Don’t engage in risk-taking behavior
• Choose gear that fits properly and that is easy for you to adjust
• Choose functionality over appearance when it comes to clothing and equipment
• Choose snowboards with leashes and skis with brakes
• Dress in layers and wear bright colors
• Pick outerwear fabric that is slide resistant and water repellent
• Keep up a regular exercise regimen to minimize the chances of fatigue and injury
• Stop on the side of a run, never in the middle
• Give right of way to the skiers in front of you
• Look all around you and uphill before merging, crossing or starting down
• Avoid closed runs and avoid skiing into prohibited areas

Shoveling snow

• Take extra care if you’re older than 40 or not normally active
• Wait a while to shovel if you’ve just smoked or eaten
• Stretch first
• Begin slowly and quit before you’re exhausted
• Work only on snow that is powdery and fresh
• Push snow—don’t lift it unless you fill the shovel only halfway or are using a small shovel
• Lift with your legs instead of your back

Common Maladies for Outdoor Adventurers

If you’re going for a bike ride or hitting the trails, one of those common maladies could get you down:

Geez, hiking and biking don’t seem so appealing now, do they? Don’t worry, though. Let’s take a look at a few maladies from this list and see how they can be prevented. We’ll also look at other issues such as what to pack in your first aid kit and how to deal with lightning.

Sunburn

Sunburn can creep up on you no matter if you’re practicing your tennis backhand in the summer or skiing in the winter. Yes, it really is possible to get sunburn on cloudy or snowy days! Better to be safe than sorry, especially since long-term damage can accumulate even in skin that looks fine.

• Wear sun/UV ray protection such as hats, sunglasses and even clothing
• Wait 30 minutes after applying sunscreen to head outside
• Apply sunscreen every two hours or after you get out of water, towel off or sweat heavily
• Choose broad-spectrum sunscreen since it offers protection against both UVA and UVB rays
• Use aloe vera products to soothe and heal sunburnt skin

If you’re bad at remembering to apply sunscreen, try setting phone reminders. Other options include sunscreen wristbands or stickers and UV patches. Another idea is to reapply your sunscreen whenever you break out a new bottle of water.

What SPF should you aim for? Use at least SPF 30, but aim for SPF 50 or higher if your skin is sensitive or you have a history of skin cancer.

As you can see from the table, it’s never possible to receive 100 percent sun protection with sunscreen. Don’t let “SPF 100” lull you into a false sense of security. Still follow all recommendations such as reapplying every two hours or whenever you come out of the water. SPF 100 sunscreen still washes off, and you should seek other sun protection measures such as taking advantage of shade and wearing hats.

Other common mistakes people make with sunscreen:

Use about 1 ounce of sunscreen per lathering. That equals one shotglass.

Whoa.

That may seem like a lot! That’s because many folks don’t realize they’ve been under-applying. Suppose you’re at the beach all day. Ideally, you’d use about half of an 8-ounce bottle of sunscreen.

If you have darker skin, you still need sunscreen. Follow the guidelines no matter your skin color.

As for babies, keep them out of the sun until they’re six months old. Their skin is highly sensitive to the sun and to the ingredients in chemical sunscreen. Use shade and tightly woven clothing to protect them instead.

When you apply sunscreen, remember areas such as the back of your neck and legs, your ears and your lips. Skin cancers frequently show up in those areas because folks forget to protect them.

Now, if you’re already sunburnt—ouch. So sorry. It hurts, we know. Hopefully, you’ll get better soon. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends steps such as placing a cold, damp towel on the sunburn for 10 to 15 minutes a day and using moisturizer with soy or aloe vera.

Drinking water can prevent dehydration, and taking ibuprofen may help with pain and swelling. Avoid as much sun exposure as you can while you heal, and leave any blisters alone. Otherwise, they could become infected.

Bug Bites

When you’re outside, you venture into spaces occupied by creatures such as ants, spiders, flies, bees and mosquitoes. They can get “affectionate,” biting and stinging you, possibly also spreading disease. Oh, the joy!

Fortunately, a fun outing can stay just that—fun—with the proper precautions. Heed this advice from the American Academy of Dermatology and other experts:

Bringing Fido along? Make sure your dog is current on flea and tick medications, and check Fido over afterward for creepy crawlies. This way, bugs that are on the dog don’t end up biting you as well.

Of course, insect repellent is a must. Here’s what to do:

• Choose repellent that has 20 percent to 30 percent DEET.
• Spray it on your clothing and exposed skin (if pre-treating your clothing, give it two hours to dry before venturing out).
• Follow the directions on the repellent labels.
• Remember to reapply according to the directions.
• Apply repellent after your sunscreen has dried.
• Don’t use sunscreen that also contains repellent because each needs to be reapplied at different intervals.

When you already have a bug bite, seek treatment ASAP if the bite area is oozing, growing or becoming redder, which are signs of infection, or if the bite (or sting) is near your mouth.

Blisters

For outdoor adventurers, blisters are produced by:

Prevent blisters on your hands

Wear gloves or batting gloves to prevent blisters on your hands if you work outside with tools or play softball/baseball. If you’re a rower, tape up your hands. Talcum powder may be a helpful aid to gloves or tape or even as a standalone option, but don’t count on it to last long.

Prevent blisters on your feet

You may have to follow most, if not all, of the tips below to prevent blister formation on your feet and heels. It can take just one misstep for a blister to rear its ugly head.

If you have existing blisters, your best bet is usually to leave them alone to heal. It’s perfectly fine to cover them with gauze or bandages, but if you pop the blisters or poke at them, you risk infection.

In some cases, though, you may want to pop them. Here’s the scoop on when, why and how to do so.

Chafing

Chafing is a whole lot of fun! Ha ha. Actually, it’s not enjoyable at all, and numerous risk factors such as sensitive skin, large muscles, extra weight, humidity and hot weather mean that lots of folks have to deal with it. After all, it’s not possible to lose tons of weight overnight or to decree that your skin no longer be sensitive. Fortunately, you can reduce some risk factors such as badly fitting clothing and clothes that don’t wick moisture.

Problem spots tend to be on the thighs, armpits, groin and nipples. Take these steps:

If biking is your thing, wear bike shorts that have a built-in chamois. It’ll keep moisture away from your body. You can even put chamois cream or another type of skin lubricant on the chamois to cut down on friction.

Overheating

If you exercise in warm or hot weather, your body could overheat, possibly resulting in vomiting, nausea, muscle cramps, cold and clammy skin or heatstroke, which can be life-threatening.

If you show signs of heat exhaustion such as dizziness, headache, dark-colored urine, rapid heartbeat, nausea or muscle cramps, get out of the heat as soon as possible. Drink fluids, take a cool shower, bath or sponge bath, and use ice towels and other measures to cool your body.

If, 15 minutes later, you still feel the same as you did out in the heat, it’s time to see a doctor. Treat your heat exhaustion before it becomes heatstroke.

Heat exhaustion risk factors include being younger than 4 and older than 65, medications such as stimulants and diuretics, and health issues such as sunburn, diabetes, obesity and being underweight.

Lightning

Lightning often affects golfers, soccer players, boaters, fishers, campers, climbers and hikers. It’s a good idea to seek shelter right away when you hear thunder.

Other lightning safety tips:

First Aid Kits

Many outdoor activities such as camping naturally lend themselves to the need for first aid kits. In fact, there are prepackaged kits for all types of activities. You can also put one together yourself. Here’s a sample kit for hikers out on a lengthy trip, perhaps all day or multiday:

If it’s a two-hour hike you’re going on, you may want to jettison many of these items. Of course, it’s always a good idea to keep items that can help with blisters and bug bites. First aid kits don’t have to be large or heavy. Figure out something handy that you can take on short ventures.

One more thing! Make sure your kit is waterproof.

Technology

When it comes to outdoor health and safety, technology can be a double-edged sword. For example, it has made clothes more lightweight and protective, enabling hikers to venture farther and into nooks and crannies. At the same time, technology can instill a false sense of security into adventurers. Yes, inexperienced hikers may be able to get farther than they would have before, but how might they react if the GPS batteries die or unexpected weather sets in? Are they assuming that helicopters can fly in and rescue them? That isn’t possible with many types of terrain.

All this is to say that technology is great, but don’t rely on it solely to have your back. Do activities that you have the skills and knowledge for, or do them with folks who know their stuff and who are happy to help you learn.

Getting Lost

Becoming lost may make for a funny story at parties, but that isn’t a good-enough reason to wander off. Lots of better ways to devise funny icebreakers!

To keep from getting lost or to deal with it if you do wander into the unknown:

If you’re prone to getting lost, pack at least a few of the following items in addition to your regular first aid and safety gear. Do bring a map and compass no matter what!

Ravenous Bears and Other Wildlife

<

OK, so black bears aren’t really that dangerous to humans, but why have them sniffing around your picnic or campsite if you can help it? To stop bears and other wild animals in their tracks, try these techniques:

What Now?

After reading this guide, staying inside where it’s safe and your skin won’t chafe may sound good. Before long, though, the outdoors will start calling you again. It doesn’t have to be dangerous—or too dangerous, if risk is part of the thrill for you. There are many steps you can take in advance to make a trip as safe and as fun as possible. Heck, if you’re able to protect yourself well against sunburn, blisters and chafing, you’re ahead of many other folks in terms of health and safety.

Additional Resources