The biggest danger in walking is not that other people hurt you. It is the things you do, or rather not do, that endanger your health.
It doesn’t matter if you walk day or night because of the importance of reflective clothing and gear. It is a must if you walk at dawn, dusk or at night. In fact, more accidents occur between pedestrians and vehicles at dawn and dusk than at night.
The light level at dawn and dusk makes it particularly difficult for motorists to see moving objects on the side of the road. That is why having reflective accents on multiple areas of your body will enhance the driver’s ability to notice you and therefore enhance your safety.
Reflective gear
Start with the top and bottom that have reflective patches on the front and back. I have seen many shirts and jackets that have bright colors and reflective patches on the front of their outfit. The idea here is that people are supposed to walk in the opposite direction of traffic and face oncoming vehicles. I’m sure all too often you see people walking in traffic for various reasons.
With no reflective patches on the back of your outfit, it literally becomes invisible to traffic. Yes, many shoes have reflective patches on the heels that vehicles approaching from the rear should see, but they are more common on running shoes. Walking shoes will often not have the proper amount of reflective stripes found on running and training shoes.
Don’t forget reflective gear for your dogs when you walk with them. Now you can get necklaces and leashes that glow in the dark or have reflective qualities.
Health and security
Having access to water while walking is important to help you maintain proper hydration and your health. But carrying a bottle of water can be a real pain when walking. Putting a bottle of water in a pocket is bulky and uncomfortable. One solution is a fanny pack or strap that wraps around the waist and has a padded opening to hold the water bottle. There are even liquidpacs that you can strap on your back that include a tube through which you drink the water as if it were a straw.
These are great devices, but they are focused on solving only a specific safety need when walking. What do you do with your cell phone, keys, and other health items you might need, like band-aids, lotions, and an epipen? The good fanny pack is the answer. And they come in updated styles and colors to suit your personal preferences.