Make your visit a safe and enjoyable time when you take full advantage of Your Sacramento Area Parks features and services. Remember, parks are natural environments which require planning, alertness and respect to assure that you and your family and friends are as safe as possible. Please act responsibly, be alert, and have safe trip.
In Public Parks:
- Avoid unpopulated areas and overgrown trails. Especially avoid poorly lighted areas at night.
- Consider carrying a cellular phone. Pre-program the number for the local law enforcement agency; Calling 9-1-1 on a cellular phone routes you to the California Highway Patrol. They will then ascertain where you are and reroute the call to the local law enforcement agency.
- Don't wear headsets. If you wear them you won't hear an approaching car or attacker. Listen to your surroundings.
- Don't wear jewelry or carry cash.
- If you think you are being followed, change direction and head for other people. Don't be embarrassed to cause a scene and draw attention to yourself.
- Ignore verbal harassment. Use discretion in acknowledging strangers. Look directly at others and be observant, but keep your distance and keep moving.
- Know the layout of the park and the surrounding neighborhood. Identify safe locations you can turn to for help.
- Plan your outing. Always tell someone where you are going and when you will return. Tell friends and family of your favorite routes.
- Run against traffic so you can observe approaching automobiles.
- Run clear of parked cars or buses. Stay in the middle of the path or drive isle.
- Run or walk with a partner and/or dog.
- Send the message that you are calm, confident, and know where you are going.
- Stay alert at all times. The more aware you are, the less vulnerable you are.
- Wear an identification tag or carry a driver's license. If you don't have a place to carry your ID, write your name, phone number, and blood type on the inside of your athletic shoes. Include any medical information
Please Note: Call the police immediately if something happens to you or someone else, or you notice anyone out of the ordinary.
Tips for Staying Safe Around Public Waterways:
- Wear a life jacket - Whether you are fishing, boating, swimming, or just floating, wear a properly fitting jacket. Read about the mandatory life preserver ordinance for children under 13.
- Learn how to swim - Even with life jackets, it is important to know how to swim
- Stay out of deep water - Riverbeds can drop off sharply. Stay close to shore to avoid drop-offs and currents. Watch out for hazards - Murky river water can hide logs, sharp rocks or trash that can cut your feet. It is recommended that you wear shoes
- Don't follow your equipment downstream - Never risk your life to save equipment or belongings
- Stay with your boat - Stay with your capsized boat unless it is unsafe to do so and/or it becomes safe to swim
- Obey the signs - Read any signs you may see in the area before you enjoy any type of recreation
- Alcohol, drugs and water sports don't mix -
- Wear sunscreen - Spending all day at the river can give you a painful sunburn. Be sure to wear SPF 15 or better and reapply frequently
- Don't get too tired! - People, especially children, can make unsafe choices when they are too tired
- Never use rope swings or jump off bridges - No matter how deep the water is, these activities can result in serious injury or death
- Watch out for hypothermia - If you experience excessive shivering or fatigue, get out of the water at once
- Keep an eye on children - Never leave children unattended near water
- Respect the plant and animal inhabitants - Do not bother animals, and watch out for stinging insects and poison oak
- How to help someone in trouble - Yell "Help" to draw attention. Reach towards the person with a pole, branch or paddle, or throw out a life jacket or ice chest to help them stay afloat until they are able to get to shore or help arrives
