Trail Safety
Be informed, not phobic

There are several real and imagined hazards that keep some people off the trails.  Mostly these hazards are exaggerated and a little knowledge will keep you safe on the trails.   I've listed these hazards with the most significant at the top.  Note that you can avoid many of these hazards by hiking in the fall and winter.

1. Injuries: Because of the uneven footing on the trails, it's not that hard to twist an ankle.  High-top footwear can help. Joggers and bikers are at greater risk for a more serious leg injuries and in fact several have been rescued by Shelton EMS personnel.  Road crossings, especially at Shelton Avenue (Rt 108) are always a risk.  To cross Shelton Ave on the Rec Path you have the option of using the pedestrian signal at the traffic light on the corner of Nell's Rock Road & Shelton Ave.

2. Wasps:  Allergic reactions are potentially life-threatening.  If you're just walking down the trail it is rather unlikely that you will be stung.  However, if you stray just a little from the trail and blunder into a ground nest you could be stung several times.  This is most likely to occur with children and dogs because they do stray from the trail (not to mention trail volunteers, and yes, we've been nailed).   If you do get stung and have a mild allergic reaction, take some Benadryl.  

3. Dehydration: Be sure to bring plenty of water to drink, especially in hot weather and if you plan on a lengthy hike or bike ride.

4. Lyme Disease: The myth is that there are more ticks in the woods than in everyone's front yard.  On the contrary, it seems like most people who contract the disease got it from a lawn tick.  Volunteers have spent many hours trying to make the trails mostly brush and grass-free, to reduce the risk of ticks. Even tall grass may not be the problem you think compared to your yard.

All people in Connecticut should conduct rigorous tick checks on themselves and their children at least once a day in May, June and July. Make sure someone checks your back for you. This is the number one most important way to prevent Lyme Disease because the disease will not be transmitted until the tick has been attached for 24 to 48 hours.  I've pulled many, many deer ticks off of family members (mostly obtained from the yard), yet not one of us has been infected.   It's good to be a little neurotic about ticks from May through June, but direct that fear into daily tick checks, not an avoidance of the outdoors.

5. Poison Ivy:  "Leaves of three, let it be."  Hairy vines, too. Trail users who stay on the trails probably won't be walking through poison ivy, but there are no guarantees, since the vegetation seems to have mind of its own, so keep an eye out for it.

If you believe you have come into contact with the plant, wash the area with rubbing alcohol as soon as possible, or within a few hours. This washes off the sap that causes the allergic reaction.  If you do get a rash, the application of anything cold will help with the itching immediately, along with any of the itching medications out there.  The rash is not contagious, contrary to common belief.

Your chances of getting poison ivy are much higher in the spring because the sap is flowing freely and the leaves are easily damaged.  This is especially true in the early spring just before the plant has leafed out, because you do not see the "leaves of three".  Look instead for vines that are hairy.  Poison ivy in the fall or during a drought is much more difficult to "catch". 

6. Getting Lost: This isn't northern Maine, and if you do get lost it's a hassle, not a real danger.  And it is very easy to prevent.  Just be sure you have a trail map with you, you understand universal trail markings, and that you pay attention to these markings while you are on the trails.  You don't need a compass or GPS locator in Shelton.  Do understand that the trail user has a responsibility to learn about these markings and to respect the privacy of surrounding property owners by staying on the officially marked trails. 

7. ATVs and dirt bikes:  Some trails users have nearly been hit by ATVs and dirt bikes.  That's why it's important to report ATVs and dirt bike activity to the police. 

8. West Nile: This illness, like the flu, is only a serious threat to the very old, the very young, and the very sick, most of who will probably not be out on the trails.  It's also pretty rare. Bug spray will stop the mosquitoes that transmit the disease.

9.  Biting insects:  These are a nuisance issue more than a safety issue, although the buggers can make you crazy enough to run into a tree (see injuries, item #1 above).

• Blackflies:  Spring.  Walk fast or ride a bike, wear a hat, try bug spray. 
• Mosquitoes: Summer. Walk fast or ride a bike; bug spray works well.  Mosquitoes are much worse after wet weather, and may be nearly absent after an August drought. 
• Deer Flies:  In hot summer weather these flies zoom around in noisy circles over your head and land in your hair to bite like a horsefly.   Wear a hat and put bug spray on your neck and shoulders.

10. Assaults:  A greatly exaggerated fear held by many women when it comes to woods and trails.   Statistically, attacks are most likely to occur in your home by someone you know, and if not there, then in some back alley or parking lot, not on hiking trails.  There have been no reports of assaults or stalking on the trails in Shelton. 

Of course, one should always be vigilant.  The most likely place for an attack is near a secluded parking lot (predators don't really want to walk very far) or in a secluded urban area, someplace where people tend to loiter or hang out.  I tend to be most vigilant along the trail at Riverview Park and near the reservoirs if no one else is around (which is unusual). 

Always remember that predators are opportunists looking for an easy target that will not fight back.  If you do run across a dubious character, do the following (keeping in mind that your dubious character is probably quite harmless):

• Act like you know where you are and what you are doing, even if you don't. 
• Project a tough, aggressive attitude that says, "I will bite, kick, punch, yell and scratch out your eyes if you try anything".   Never show fear.
• You can always carry around a sharp, pointy pair of pruners or flower cutters, as if you intended to work on the trail.  That would be enough to scare off most predators.  

11. Wild animals.  There are no wild animals that might attack someone just walking down the trails.  There are no bears, cougars, wolves, moose or bison.  Skunks will not spray you unless you really harass then (I've practically stepped on them without ill effect).   Swans can be aggressive, but I've not seen them on our trails. The only scenario that might precipitate an attack would be something unusual like trying to pet a coyote that's been injured by a car, sticking your hand into an animal's den, or running into a rabid raccoon. Rabies run in big epidemics that are well publicized, and we haven't had any for awhile. Rabid animals act strangely, may walk in circles, foam at the mouth and are not afraid of people.  They should be reported to the police.