November is National Running Safety Month. Running safety is a topic I’ve written about a lot through the years and feel very passionate about. As we bid farewell to the ghosts and goblins of Halloween at the end of October, it’s a good time to brush up on safety tips for runners to prevent potentially scary situations. My friends at Brooks Running shared these expert tips to help us stay safe and run happy.

READ: SELF-DEFENSE STRATEGIES FOR RUNNERS

6 Safety Tips for Runners

1. Be visible. As the time changes and runners are logging more miles during low-light hours, it’s important to wear bright colors and reflective gear. Being recognized by drivers as a runner is key because it signals a need to use extra caution when passing you – more caution than someone may use when passing a traffic cone or road sign. Pairing fluorescent colors with strategically placed contrast colors and retroreflective detail can help drivers identify you as a person and not a static object. The Brooks Nightlife collection offers great options for being seen at all times of day, with specific reflectivity points that increase your visibility.
2. Run against traffic. If you’re running next to a road, running on the opposite side of the road toward oncoming traffic ensures you can see cars and be prepared to pivot out of the way. You never know what a car approaching from behind will do or if they can actually see you or not.
3. Obey all traffic laws. Clearly signal to cars where you are going.
4. Open your eyes and be alert. Never assume that a car sees you or that the driver is going to stop (or even obey traffic laws). Wait, watch and listen for cars before crossing intersections, and try to make eye contact with the driver before crossing to ensure he/she actually stops.
5. Keep your I.D. on you. In case of an emergency or accident, having your I.D. on you can help first responders identify you and call your family. This could be a shoe tag or wrist band like those from Road I.D. or simply putting identification in your running pouch or water bottle holder. Don’t forget to carry your cell phone with you at all times, too.
6. Stay on well-lit paths. One of the best pieces of safety advice I’ve ever received is to trust your gut and survey your surroundings for 10 seconds before making a move. Running in dark areas or secluded paths can cause you to possibly trip and fall, or worse, be an easy target for an attacker. Always stay on routes that have good lighting and are frequented by other pedestrians and vehicles, and when possible, don’t run alone. Carrying additional lights with you, such as knuckle lights or a clip-on hat/visor light is also a good thing.

READ: 9 SAFETY TIPS FOR RUNNERS

This post is part of my ongoing relationship with Brooks Running as a Run Happy Ambassador. Brooks affiliate links are contained within this post. I receive free products to test each month and a yearly financial stipend I reinvest back into running and runladylike.com. All opinions expressed about Brooks or any company/product are ALWAYS my honest and unbiased thoughts.

What is your favorite piece of running gear to keep you safe and visible while running? What additional safety tips for runners would you share with runladylike.com readers?