Last Updated on May 23, 2013 4:06 pm
The U.S. Forest Service today reminded visitors to practice safety when visiting the Nantahala, Pisgah, Uwharrie or Croatan national forests this Memorial Day weekend.
Hiking
Hiking is a popular activity, and there are safety tips that hikers can follow to ensure that they return home safely. A list of hiking safety tips is available online at http://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5300292.pdf
Water Safety
Memorial Day is the unofficial start of summer, which means many visitors will be heading to waterways. Visitors to the national forests should always practice water safety. Flash flooding is also a concern any time of year, especially when camping. Safety tips are posted online at
http://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/nfsnc/home/?cid=stelprdb5415893
In the mountains, waterfalls are a popular attraction; however, they are extremely dangerous. Visitors should never climb on or near waterfalls. For a complete list of waterfall safety tips, visit http://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5300621.pdf
Pet Safety
Visitors must keep their dogs leashed in campgrounds and around trailheads. The Forest Service encourages owners to keep dogs leashed at all other times to prevent injury to other visitors or pets.
The Forest Service offers a comprehensive website that provides a wide variety of safety tips. Visit http://www.fs.usda.gov/detailfull/r8/home/?cid=fsbdev3_066386&width=full
