• Travel with a companion. You don’t want to be by yourself in case of an emergency. Tell someone where and when you are going, when you expect to return, and how many individuals are in your party.
• Be in good physical condition. Set a comfortable pace as you hike. A group trip should be designed for the weakest member of the group.
• Think about your footing while traveling near cliffs. Trees and bushes can’t always be trusted to hold you. Stay on developed trails or dry, solid rock areas with good footing.
• Wear appropriate clothing for the trail conditions and season.
• Check your equipment. Rock climbers should always safety check their equipment. Inexperienced climbers should have experienced members in their party. Using a helmet will lessen the chance of a head injury in the event of an accident.
• Be weather wise. Keep an eye on current and predicted weather conditions. In this area, weather can change very quickly. Know the signs for approaching storms or changing weather conditions. Avoid bare ridgetops, exposed places, lone trees, streams, and rocks during lightning storms. Find shelter in a densely forested area at a lower elevation. Even in the summer, exposure to wind and rain can result in hypothermia.
• Learn basic first aid so you will know how to identify and treat injuries and illnesses. Carry a first aid kit with you. Learn how to identify the symptoms of heat exhaustion, heat stroke, hypothermia, and dehydration, and know how to treat them.
• Make camp before dark. Traveling after darkness has resulted in many accidents from falls, so travel only during daylight.
• Set up camp well away from the edge of cliffs, and learn the terrain during daylight. If you have to leave camp after dark, stay in areas you have seen in daylight, go with a friend, and always use a good flashlight.
• Be alert for slippery areas and take your time to avoid tripping. Low-hanging branches and variable terrain make running unsafe, and leaves can hide slippery areas underneath.
• Alcohol and cliffs don’t mix! If you drink, stay away from the cliffs. Judgment, agility, and balance are all reduced by alcohol consumption.
• Think before you drink! No matter how clean or pure stream water looks, it’s likely to contain water-borne parasites and micro-organisms that can cause discomfort and sometimes serious illness. Pack your water in, or purify through chemical treatment.

Beware of Hazardous Trees Due  To Southern Pine Beetle Damage. Beware of limbs and damaged trees that may fall at any time. Look up while on trails, especially when it’s windy. Use caution when selecting a place to camp, picnic, or rest. Control your campfire, and make sure it is “dead out” when you leave.

Is My Car Safe?

As peaceful as the forest may seem, a few visitors may experience auto break-ins. To prevent break-ins:

• Lock your car. As simple as this seems, many people still forget. Don’t leave your travel plans on the windshield of your car. Thieves use this "window of opportunity" to break in, since they know you may not be nearby. Leave your plans with the district office or someone at home. Include what trails you plan to hike and an estimate of your return time.
• Don’t leave valuables inside your car. If you must leave valuables, hide them from view or lock them in the trunk. Empty the glove compartment and leave it open to show that nothing is inside.
• Don’t park your car with the trunk backed toward the woods. This provides cover for someone trying to break into your trunk. If your car has been vandalized, contact local law enforcement officials.

Can I Bring My Dog?

• ON THE TRAIL If you bring your dog hiking, keep it under physical restraint at all times. The Daniel Boone is a multiple-use forest, which means you and your dog may meet horseback riders, mountain bikers, and four-wheelers on the trail. Use a leash in crowded areas. Hiking is hard work for a dog, especially if it’s not used to long hikes in hot weather. Watch your dog for signs of stress and fatigue, and give it plenty of water and rest.
• In the campgrounds, dogs must be on a leash and under control, because cars are more prevalent. Tie your dog up in a shady spot and give it lots of attention to minimize barking.

Am I Safe on the Trail?

Exercise the same caution you would anywhere else. On some isolated trails, help may be far away. On these trails, a hiking companion is recommended. If alone, pay attention to your surroundings and the people you meet on the trail. Be alert and project an aura of confidence.

Are there Snakes?

Only two poisonous snakes, the rattlesnake and the copperhead, are native to eastern Kentucky. By observing a few precautions and leaving the snakes alone, you can avoid an unfortunate encounter.

• Never reach under or sit on top of rocks or logs without looking first. These areas are usually a snake’s favorite spots to lie.
• Also be careful walking in tall grass where you cannot see your feet, because snakes like to lie in the hot grass in the sun and wait for prey.
• Leave snakes alone--do not attempt to capture or kill them. Snakes are rarely interested in harming humans, and they serve a purpose in the forest ecosystem. Observe them from a safe distance and appreciate the beauty of a natural predator in the wild.
• More about snakes

POISON IVY

Poison ivy has three leaves and is a plant but may also climb like a vine. Remember... If It Has Leaves of Three Leave It Be!

TICKS

Ticks are common in this forest. Some of these ticks can transmit diseases to humans, so check for ticks after every trip in the woods.

• Ticks can be found wherever there is vegetation. They can carry various diseases including Lyme's disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, tick fever, and tick paralysis.
• Prevention is best. When you are in areas with ticks, wear a long sleeve shirt and pants tucked into your socks or put masking tape around the bottom. Wear light colored clothing.
• Insect repellent containing DEET can be sprayed on your clothing to help repel the ticks.
• Should you discover a tick, remove it immediately. Most importantly, do not break off the tick's head during removal. Anything left can cause an infection. Also, never crush a tick anywhere on you., as diseases carried by ticks can pass through your skin and enter your bloodstream. To remove, use tweezers placed as close to the tick's head as possible. Then, gently pull the tick off.

EDIBLE PLANTS

Edible and medicinal plants and mushrooms exist on the forest, but we urge you to leave them alone. Errors in identification can have uncomfortable or deadly consequences.

If You Get Lost...

All trails are marked with signs (where intersections meet) and diamond blazes or markers. However, signs are sometimes vandalized or stolen.

• Pay close attention to your surroundings and landmarks, and relate this to your location on a map.
• Stay calm if you get lost. Panic is your greatest enemy. Try to remember how you got to your present location.
• Trust your map and compass, and do not walk aimlessly. If you are on a trail, don’t leave it.
• Stay put if it is nightfall, if you are injured, or if you are near exhaustion.
• As a last resort, follow a drainage or stream downhill. This can be hard going but will often lead to a trail or road.

Hypothermia

Hypothermia is the number one killer of outdoor recreationists. It occurs when the body temperature is lowered and unable to produce heat. Most everyone has experienced mild hypothermia, however, if the process is not stopped, death can occur.

Hypothermia can develop in temperatures as high as the 60's or 70's. It is caused by cool to cold temperatures, wind, lack of sunshine, and most importantly, wet or damp clothing. Signs include shivering, slow or slurred speech, fumbling or immobile fingers, stumbling, sleepiness and exhaustion.

Take the following precautions to avoid hypothermia:

• Check weather reports before entering the wilderness
• Utilize layering techniques to wick away moisture while retaining body warmth. Always bring rain gear. Carry a spare set of dry clothing.
• Drink water and nibble on snacks frequently
• Should you or your partner begin to develop hypothermia, replace all wet clothing with dry. Put on a hat and a warm coat. Wrap up in a blanket or sleeping bag. Get into a warm, dry environment. Do not sleep until all signs of hypothermia are gone. Do not give anything containing caffeine or alcohol.
• To avoid hypothermia, be aware and take the necessary precautions. If there are early signs of hypothermia, take steps immediately to rest and get warm.

Giardia

Giardiasis is an intestinal disease caused by Giardia lamblia and related organisms. The giardia organisms are microscopic protozoans and, therefore, invisible to the naked eye. It's important to keep in mind that infected water might look, taste, and smell perfectly safe.

It only takes one giardia organism to cause an infection. Once infected, it may take from a few days to two weeks to become ill. Because of the delay, many people do not immediately expect giardia infection. Symptoms include chronic diarrhea, abdominal cramps, bloating, fatigue, and loss of weight. Giardiasis will not go away on its own! Treatment by a physician is necessary to kill the organisms and produce a cure.

Giardia organisms are carried by humans, wild animals, and some domestic animals. They are spread by improper disposal of human and animal feces. One study completed at Colorado State University found that 90% of all dogs tested were carriers, of giardia organisms. (Remember: Bury all feces 8 inches deep and at least 100 feet from water. Also, don't let dogs or other domestic animals defecate in or near water supplies)

The surest way to prevent giardiasis is to take water from public water supplies. Of course, on a long trip this is not an option. Fortunately, there are ways to make the water safe to drink. The most effective way to kill giardia and other waterborne pathogens is to boil the water for at least one minute. Filters work, but make sure they filter as small as 1\ micron. Chemical treatment is considered the least effective form of purification. When using chemical treatment in cold water, it may take hours for purification to occur. Even then, there is still a chance that some giardia might survive.

Fear of contracting giardiasis should not prevent anyone from enjoying the wilderness. By following the above guidelines, you should have a safe and healthy visit to the wilderness.

Building a safe campfire

1. Keep fire site away from overhanging branches.

2. Use an existing pit if possible, and circle it with rocks.

3. Clear a 5-foot area around the pit, removing burnable debris down to the soil.

4. Keep a bucket of water and a shovel nearby.

5. Stack extra wood upwind and away from the fire.

6. After lighting, do not discard the match until it is cold.

7. Never leave a campfire unattended, not even for a minute.

8. When you leave, make sure the fire is completely out.

• Drown the fire and surrounding area with water.
• Stir the fire with a shovel or stick, then drown it again.
• Add water and stir until the area is cold to the touch.
• Don’t bury coals. They can smolder and break out.