Outdoor activity is one of life's great pleasures, but in the excitement don't forget personal safety. With a little planning, you can be prepared for outdoor hazards and even increase your enjoyment. The following are a few basic safety tips. For more detailed safety information, visit the links below.

• Check the weather forecast and wear appropriate clothing and footwear for your activities
• Bring food, water, map, compass, and personal medications
• Stay within your physical limits
• Tell someone where you're going and when you'll be back; bring a buddy
• Wear your life jacket (also called Personal Floatation Device or PFD) when on the water

Hypothermia & Frostbite - www.bt.cdc.gov/disasters/winter/guide.asp#health_emergencies

Ice Safety - www.crrel.usace.army.mil/ierd/ice_safety/safety.html or www.mass.gov/dfwele/dfw/recreation/ice_safety.htm

Water Safety - http://watersafety.usace.army.mil/safetytips.htm

Ticks - www.cdc.gov/Features/StopTicks/

West Nile Virus - www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/westnile/index.htm

Poison Ivy - www.hort.uconn.edu/ipm/homegrnd/htms/poisivy2.htm

Lightning - www.lightningsafety.noaa.gov/outdoors.htm

Rabies - www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvrd/rabies/

Heat Stress - www.bt.cdc.gov/disasters/extremeheat/

Hunter Education - www.mass.gov/dfwele/dfw/education/hed/hed_home.htm

Boating Education - www.mass.gov/dfwele/dle/dlecours.htm

Becoming an Outdoorswoman - www.mass.gov/dfwele/dfw/education/bow/bow_home.htm

Tread Lightly! Recreation Tips - www.treadlightly.org

Appalachian Mountain Club Programs - www.outdoors.org/education/index.cfm