Safety

The countryside is beautiful on a fine summer’s day, but Yorkshire weather is unpredictable and hill fog or sea “frets” can blow in, even in summer, reducing visibility to only a few metres.

Accidents can happen too, but to help yourself come back safely:

• Wear footwear that is up to the job
• Take spare, high energy food with you, eg chocolate or dried fruit
• Consider taking a hot drink with you
• Take a map and compass and know how to use them!
• Take a whistle/torch/ to signal for help in an emergency
• Cyclists - carry a basic repair kit
• A mobile phone offers contact, but reception is patchy away from main road corridors through the National Park
• Take spare clothing and waterproofs

...on the coast

• Check the time of high tide before you go down onto the beach – the sea comes right up to the cliff every 12 hours
• Keep away from cliffs - falling from the top is an obvious hazard, but this is an eroding coastline so watch out for rock falls when you are on the shore

...in the forests

• Keep away from forest operations like tree felling and timber stacks
• Cyclists keep your speed down - expect the unexpected
• Forests host many varied events such as motor rallies and cycle races – please heed any warnings and follow marshals’ requests

...and on farmland

• Move carefully and quietly through fields containing livestock
• Don’t climb walls or fences
• Leave gates as you find them
• Dogs should be under close control to avoid disturbing livestock. Sheep will move away, but cattle are inquisitive and particularly with calves “at foot” can be suspicious of dogs. Very occasionally they may react aggressively and if this happens let the dog go free and move quickly to safety

Lyme Disease

Lyme Disease is a bacterial infection which is transmitted from animals to man by the bite of an adult female tick (Ixodes ricinus). Humans are most at risk of picking up ticks when brushing through tall vegetation, especially bracken. This can be minimised by keeping your legs covered, preferably wearing clothing of a closely-woven smooth material, with no gap between footwear and trousers. Insect repellant helps. Check clothing and skin carefully for ticks afterwards.

Remove any attached ticks by grasping the mouthparts where they enter the skin and tugging gently but firmly.  Do not try to burn the tick off, apply petroleum jelly, nail polish or any other chemical. Any of these methods can cause discomfort to the tick, resulting in regurgitation, or saliva release. If the tick regurgitates or releases saliva because you've poisoned it, the lyme disease pathogens (if the tick has them) could get into your blood stream. If a rash or flu-like symptoms arise a few days after the bite, seek medical advice quickly, mentioning the tick bite.

Adders

The characteristic zigzag markings make the adder easy to recognize. Being reptiles and "cold-blooded", they need the sun's warmth to make them active. Adders feed mainly on small mammals such as voles, mice and shrews and do not bite humans or large animals except in self-defence. All native reptiles are legally protected and it is an offence to intentionally kill, injure or sell them.

You may often see adders in spring when they bask in the sunshine on paths and walls. At this time of year they are sluggish and less able to move out of the way of people and dogs quickly. It is advisable to wear stout footwear and long socks or trousers and keep your dog from investigating basking adders. In the unlikely event of being bitten, it is wise to seek medical advice as adder bites can be quite serious. If a dog is bitten, it should be picked up and taken to a vet.

Remember, your safety is your responsibility