Fitness & Exercise

Turn Your Walk into a Workout

8 Safety Tips for Walkers

Keep safety in mind when you walk outdoors. Follow these basic rules:

• Walk with a buddy whenever possible.
• Carry your name, address, and a friend or relative's phone number in your shoe or tied to a lace.
• Wear a medical bracelet if you have diabetes, an allergy, or other condition.
• Carry a cell phone and let a friend or relative know your walking routes.
• Avoid deserted or unlit streets, especially after dark.
• Do not use headsets that prevent you from hearing traffic; and walk against oncoming traffic.
• Wear reflective material or carry a flashlight so others can see you.
• Carry a whistle, noisemaker, or pepper spray in case of an emergency.

Above all, make walking fun and you'll be more likely to stick with it.