Safety first while on the trails

With the sun shining and spring-like weather upon us, it’s a perfect time to go out on the hiking trails. In doing so, it’s important to remember to practice safety. 
Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Department recently released an educational video on their social media platforms to help hikers prepare for their adventures. 
“Our department responds to quite a few inaccessible rescues throughout the county on an annual basis,” said Battalion Chief Mike Beverlin. “So, we wanted to talk about some of the things you can do to not be one of those statistics.”
Carrying water is one huge task to make sure you don’t become dehydrated. Making sure you’ve had a hearty meal before you set out on the trails is another important tip. It will help keep your energy up and steady. Also, check the weather.
Preparing ahead of time and making a plan helps reduce the possibility of getting stuck. Part of that is making sure someone knows that plan. Sharing which trail you’re hiking and an approximate timeframe of how long you plan to be out with a trusted friend or family member is smart. That way if something did happen, they can help direct emergency personnel in the right direction. 
While we all like some alone time, hiking alone isn’t the best idea. If something were to happen, hiking with a friend can be vital in an emergency.
Be sure you have a fully charged cellphone. If an incident should happen, your cellphone is of no use of it has a dead battery or isn’t with you. Having a charged cellphone will allow emergency personnel to keep in contact with you and assist in locating you via GPS in the case of an emergency. 
“If you’re injured, stay on that trail and don’t move unless there’s some sort of life-threatening emergency that would cause you to move,” Beverlin said. “That way, we can have a set location and know exactly where to get you.”
If you’re planning to set out on the trails, take these few simple tips into consideration before you head out.