Exercising Safely in the Dark
Courtney Carter
/ Categories: WELLNESS, 2024

Exercising Safely in the Dark

Exercising outdoors is great for your mental and physical health. But as the number of daylight hours wanes, it pays to take extra precautions to keep yourself safe.

As exhilarating as exercising in the dark can be, it’s also a safety hazard. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, over 80% of pedestrian traffic fatalities occur at night or in low-light  conditions. 

However, with the right precautions, there’s no need to give up the joys of good workout when daylight hours are short.

1. Choose a well-lit route

Always opt for the well-lit route when exercising in the dark. While it may not be your preferred route, lighting makes you visible and increases your chance of noticing potential hazards like cracks on sidewalks or loose stones on the road. For added visibility, consider sporting a headlamp or flashlight.

2. Be seen

Reflective, brightly colored clothing makes you more visible to others when you’re out and about.  Today, runners have reflective gear options to cover them from head to toe. If you’re on a bike, invest in flashing bike lights, reflective tape, and gear to make sure you’ll be seen coming and going.

3. Head in the right direction

If you’re biking, always ride with traffic. If you’re running on walking, always go against traffic. No matter your choice of exercise, always cross at corners and crosswalks with traffic.

4. Know your route

Don’t venture on a new path for the first time in the dark. Scout out new routes in daylight so you can observe sharp turns, uneven sidewalks, hidden drives, etc.

5. Let others know your plan

If you’re heading out to exercise alone, let someone know your planned route and when you expect to be back. Always carry your ID, cellphone, and insurance card with you in case you do run into trouble.

 Alternatively, try to exercise with others. Look for local walking, running and cycling groups.

6. Know yourself and your limits

Consider shortening your outdoor workout or skipping it altogether during extreme weather conditions. Just as seasons change, workouts can too. Know that it’s okay to head home and that there are lots of options to consider from there.

7. Stay aware of your surroundings

Staying alert and aware of your surroundings is key to safety. If you exercise with headphones, keep the volume at a level at which you can hear approaching traffic, people, or barking dogs.

Finally,

8. Trust your intuition.

If something feels amiss, don’t hesitate to take proper precautions. There’s no shame in cutting your workout short or calling a friend (or even the police) if you’re feeling unsafe.

 

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Ways to Help

At this difficult time, leaders and staff at Southwestern Vermont Health Care appreciate support from our communities. There are three major ways for members of the community to help front-line staff in their efforts to save lives.


Donate Funds
If you are able, donating money to the Southwestern Vermont Health Care Foundation COVID-19 Relief Fund is the most beneficial way to ensure staff have the vital equipment they need. The COVID-19 Relief Fund will be used to create additional negative pressure rooms; purchase life-saving supplies, such as ventilators, respirators, additional Personal Protective Equipment (PPE); implement a surge plan to expand patient care areas, including an off-site Respiratory Evaluation Center (REC); support of employees in distress; meet the need for assistance among patients and our communities. And now the CARES Act makes donating to non-profits more beneficial financially. Donations may be made online at svhealthcare.org/give-now.


Send Food to Staff
SVMC deployed an online tool to facilitate community members sending meals to front-line staff during the COVID-19 crisis. Community members can visit mealtrain.com/trains/v1w8yz and volunteer to purchase a meal for as few as two staff members or as many as 25. All recommended restaurants will make no-contact deliveries to SVMC in Bennington, the Centers for Living and Rehabilitation in Bennington, and the Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation in Hoosick Falls, NY.

 

Donate Personal Protective Equipment
Southwestern Vermont Medical Center is requesting the community to assist with donations of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). The hospital currently needs the following PPE: N95 Masks, typically found in industrial businesses and home workshops; Nitrile gloves in all sizes; home-sewn cotton masks; and home-sewn cloth surgical caps, known also as scrub caps and skull caps. PPE donations are accepted through Catherine Hagadorn, program coordinator for the Quality, Safety, and Value Department, by e-mailing Catherine.Hagadorn@svhealthcare.org or calling 802-447-5600.

 

SVHC's medical team and essential staff are extremely grateful to the community for every contribution. Thank you! 

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