A few tips on running safely

Written by Jennie Alexandros, Staff Writer

While running or jogging through their neighborhood, people do not usually pay much attention to their surroundings or the potential dangers of being outside alone and empty handed. There are many risks associated with going for a jog, such as abductions, getting hit by a vehicle, or even becoming victim to unexpected violence. Nevertheless, that should not stop someone from fitting in a good workout into their day. There are copious amounts of solutions to unsafe running outdoors.

First, a runner always needs to be aware of their surroundings, meaning where they are, what cautions they need to take, and who lives around that area. A wide range of runners prefer to listen to music with earbuds as they run, but they cannot hear what is going on, which raises a concern around the running community. If you are going to run with isolated music, make sure it’s low enough to where you can hear what is going on outside your music, or just put one earbud in one ear.

Have you ever ran and had a mini heart attack because a car sped past you from behind? Well, this is an extremely dangerous problem that can result to a deadly situation. As a runner, you should run in the opposite direction of traffic. You will be safer and avoid getting hit by a vehicle.

Another way to prevent traumatic incidents from occurring is to run with a partner or a dog. Chances are if you have somebody with you to aid you on the lookout while going for a nice jog, then you will not have to be as worried about somebody coming and starting unnecessary trouble. That is why parents will always tell their children to buddy up with someone and never go alone. It reduces the risk of being attacked, and if you or your partner end up being victim to an act of violence or harassment, you will have someone else to help fight them off or go to get help.

In this day in age, it is extremely hard to just be outside and feel one hundred percent secure. There are some people out there who tend to want to do harmful things to others, and if you are not careful enough while running out in the open, you put yourself at a higher probability for danger. Remember that if anything happens to you physically at the fault of someone else or you notice something fishy going on that could lead to negative situations, consult with somebody or take matters to higher authorities such as the police.

Stay safe and keep running!