stay safe walking
The greatest danger to walking is not that other people hurt you. It’s the things you do, or rather the things you don’t do, that endanger your health.
It doesn’t matter if you walk day or night because of the importance of reflective clothing and gear. It is a must see if you walk at dawn, dusk or at night. In fact, more pedestrian-vehicle accidents occur at dawn and dusk than at night.
The light level at dawn and dusk makes it particularly difficult for motorists to see moving objects on the side of the road. That is why having reflective accents on multiple areas of your body will improve the driver’s ability to notice you and therefore improve your safety.
reflective gear
Start with tops and bottoms that have reflective patches on the front and back. I have seen many shirts and jackets that have bright colors and reflective patches on the front of their attire. The idea here is that people are supposed to walk facing traffic and will be facing oncoming vehicles. I’m sure all too often you’ll see people walking with traffic for various reasons.
With no reflective patches on the back of your outfit, you literally become invisible to traffic. Yes, many shoes have reflective patches on the heels that should be seen by vehicles approaching from behind, but they are more common on running shoes. Walking shoes will often not have the proper amount of reflective stripes found on running and training shoes.
Don’t forget reflective gear for your dogs when walking with them. You can now get collars and leashes that glow in the dark or have reflective qualities.
Health and security
Having access to water while walking is important to help you maintain proper hydration and your health. But carrying a water bottle can be a real pain when walking. Putting a water bottle in a pocket is bulky and awkward. One solution is a fanny pack or strap that fits around your waist and has a padded opening to hold your water bottle. There are even liquidpacs that you can strap to your back and that include a tube through which you drink the water like a straw.
These are great devices, but they are focused on solving only one specific need for walking safety. What do you do with your cell phone, keys, and other health items you might need like band-aids, lotions, and epipens? The good fanny pack is the answer. And they come in updated styles and colors to match your personal preferences.