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SALT LAKE CITY -- A lot of people will head out of town during this holiday weekend to spend time in the outdoors, and not everyone will be as prepared as they should be for the unexpected.
There are many, many items designed to help you if you do get into trouble, but you don't need a lot of fancy, expensive gadgets. There are some very simple things you can do, and should do, every time you head outdoors.
Brawdy, in town for the Outdoor Retailers Summer Market, appears regularly on TV and writes extensively about outdoor safety. He's come up with what he calls the "7 Sins of Summer Safety".
Brawdy says the No. 1 mistake people make before heading someplace is not having a communication plan.
"If we don't let folks know when we're leaving, when we plan on arriving, and when we're going to be back, we could be lost and no one would know to look for us," he said.
Some areas of concern: People often neglect to bring a first aid kit when they're hiking; sunscreen and protective clothing will protect you from harmful rays from the sun; a hands-free light, all-purpose tool and a solar-power radio are a must; and don't forget the bug spray -- insects can take the fun out of any outdoor trip.
Of course, you can never have enough water. Even in remote areas, you can purify water in an instant with portable purification systems.
"It has a three-stage system. The carbon knocks out the bad taste, the filter, but the viurstat cartridge, it's a water purifier. It's the only thing that comes in its own setup. And you have fresh water to drink," Brawdy said.
The bottom line, really, is to use common sense.
E-mail: kmccord@ksl.com
