A Voice from the Eastern Door
Hiking:
Pre-trip planning should reflect your physical abilities and experience – don’t overexert yourself or embark on an adventure that is beyond your physical capabilities or outdoor skills. Also, make sure you have equipment in case you become lost, stranded or injured. Bring a charged mobile phone, with extra batteries, in case you need to call for assistance. 9-1-1 dispatchers can often track your location and send help if needed. Carry warm clothing and supplies such as water and light food or energy bars, a flashlight or headlamp, rain gear, sunscreen and matches.
Travel in groups or with another person whenever possible. Always be on the lookout for challenges you may encounter in the outdoors, such as wildfires, sudden storms, muddy trail conditions and fast moving waters. Wear light-colored clothing and long pants and long-sleeved shirts to protect against ticks that carry Lyme disease and other biting insects. Check for ticks every two to three hours while outdoors, and brush off any ticks before they attach. Performing a full body check multiple times during the day and at the end of the day will also ensure that no ticks are attached.
Boating and paddling:
All people are strongly encouraged to wear a personal floatation device whenever they are on the water. State law requires that children under age 12 wear a personal flotation device while on a watercraft. Also, check the weather forecast before heading out on the water to learn about potential storms and seek immediate shelter on shore if you hear thunder.
Know your abilities and take precautions when there are high or steady winds creating large waves, or when you are in strong currents. If you are paddling in waters where there are motorboats, keep close to shorelines and out of main channels. Also, boaters and paddlers should clean, drain and dry watercraft to avoid spreading aquatic invasive species.
Fires:
Before embarking on a camping or day trip, check weather forecasts, including the New York fire danger map to learn about area conditions. Keep fires small (no more than 3 ft. high, 4 ft. diameter) and use existing campfire rings when available. Don’t leave any fire unattended and completely extinguish the campfire by dousing it with water, stirring the embers and dousing it a second time.
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