Are you thinking about making some New Year's resolutions about your walking program this year? Good for you! But, don't let your resolve be sidelined by stepping into traffic . . . literally!

Think about this: Most of us are fitting our walking routine into the hours before and after work. In January and February, that means we're walking in the dark. And, most of us don't report where we are going and when we will return to anyone--we just walk out the door. If something did happen, it could be hours before anyone figured out we were missing.

To keep your fitness goals on track, here are a few things to think about.

1. Wear identification. If anything were to happen to you on your walk, it's important for others to be able to swiftly come to your aid, especially if you are unable to speak for yourself. Wear a visible ID necklace or shoe tag that includes this basic information: your name, the name of an emergency contact person plus, that person's phone number with area code, your blood type (if known), any medications you are taking and any allergies your have. While you could include additional information (i.e.: health record number), you might want to consider whether to note your address if you also carry your house key on the same chain as the ID tag!

2. Be visible. Wear reflective clothing. You can find jackets made with materials that are luminescent when lit by car headlights. Search out reflective vests, flashing lights and reflective shoe patches at stores that sell apparel for walkers, runners or bicyclists. Think about putting some of that light on a part of your body that will be moving like, your arm, hands or shoe, so as to attract attention. While a reflective vest is helpful, it can also be mistaken for a mailbox reflector since it stays at the same height and seems to be unmoving to a driver in dark or foggy conditions.

3. Think about lighting your path. More than one walker has had a serious knee injury from tripping over a raised section of a sidewalk. If you are walking on streets without street lights, consider carrying a flashlight or making a fashion statement by wearing a headlamp.

4. Look both ways before stepping out into the street. It only takes a split second of distraction on anyone's part for an accident to occur. As the old saying goes "it doesn't much matter whether the pot hits the rock or the rock hits the pot; either way it's going to be bad for the pot." No matter who was at fault, it will be your fitness program that is out the window if you end up in a full-leg cast!

Be aware of your surroundings. Think safety. Have a great start to the newest millennium!

© 2000. Ellie J. Hodder. All rights reserved. Reproduction prohibited without permission.