The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation SAYS ONE OF THE MAIN WAYS TO STAY SAFE WHILE HIKING IS TO PREPARE BEFORE GOING OUT AND TO HAVE A PLAN FOR IF ANYTHING GOES WRONG.

ACCORDING TO THE NYSDEC, ONE IN EVERY 25,000 PEOPLE WILL EXPERIENCE AN ACCIDENT WHILE HIKING, SO HAVING A PLAN IN PLACE AND SUPPLIES ON HAND WILL MAKE FOR A MORE ENJOYABLE AND SAFE EXPERIENCE.

HIKERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO LEARN ABOUT THE AREA BEFORE HIKING, ARRANGE FOR AT LEAST ONE OR MORE PEOPLE TO HIKE WITH, AND STICK TO CLEARLY MARKED TRAILS WHEN POSSIBLE.

"ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT ASPECTS OF MY JOB IS HIKING SAFETY AWARENESS.

IF WE CAN GET THE INFORMATION OUT TO PEOPLE ON HOW TO PREPARE AND SAFELY HIKE, IT REALLY MAKES A BETTER EXPERIENCE FOR THEM AND IT MAKES IT EASIER FOR US IF SOMETHING DOES HAPPEN", says Oldroyd.

NYSDEC FOREST RANGER Joan OLDROYD SAYS THE MOST COMMON CALL A RANGER GETS IS OF SOMEONE BEING LOST, SO PACKING SUPPLIES LIKE EXTRA WATER, HIGH ENERGY FOOD, FLASHLIGHTS, AND A PAPER MAP OF YOUR TRAIL ARE ESSENTIAL.

for more information on hiking, you can visit the Dec website here.