City of Phoenix Reminds You to “Take a Hike, Do it Right”

(Phoenix, Ariz.)  —  City of Phoenix park rangers and Fire Department personnel rescued a number of hikers suffering from dehydration symptoms on city trails Saturday. Regardless of weather conditions, hikers need to drink plenty of water before, during and after a hike, and should bring more water on the hike than they think they will need.

The Phoenix Parks and Recreation and Fire Departments, along with partners from the Maricopa County Department of Public Health, Arizona Office of Tourism, Arizona Lodging and Tourism Association, and Phoenix Convention and Visitor Bureau remind you to “Take a Hike. Do it Right.”

Following this simple safety checklist can go a long way in preventing someone from getting into an emergency situation on the trail:

Watch the Weather: Yes, “it’s a dry heat” – but Arizona’s temperature can be deceiving and deadly. Hike when it’s cool outside, try early mornings and evenings when there’s more shade. 

Dress Appropriately: Wear proper shoes, clothing, hat and sunscreen.

Bring Water: Hydrate before you go. Have plenty of water, more than you think you need.

Keep in Contact: Carry a mobile phone.

Team up: Hike with others. If hiking solo, tell someone your start and end times, and location.

Be Honest: Do you have a medical condition? Asthma, heart problems, diabetes, knee or back problems? Don’t push yourself!  (Even trained athletes have been caught off guard by getting dehydrated on Arizona trails.)

 Don’t Trailblaze: Enjoy the Sonoran Desert’s beautiful and undeveloped landscape, but please stay on designated trails.

 Take Responsibility: Don’t be “that person” – the one who wasn’t prepared, shouldn’t have been there for health reasons or ignored safety guidelines. Be the responsible hiker, who takes a hike and does it right!