Hiking alone can be incredibly relaxing. It also presents more than a few risks. There are things you can do, though, to enhance your safety while offering the solitude and peace that can only be experienced when hiking solo. The 10 tips below will help you hike more safely when hiking alone.

1. Stay connected. Carry some sort of device, like a two-way radio with extended range or other form of two-way communication tool that allows you to get in touch with others if needed, even if you’re outside of your normal mobile phone range.
2. Don’t overshare on social media. While it’s tempting to share your route with others via social media, it is important, for your safety, not to do so while you’re in transit. You especially do not want to put the information out there that you’re hiking alone in connection with your location information.
3. Understand your limits. It is easy to overdo it on the hiking trail. When you’re alone, that places you at greater risks of falls and other injuries or being unable to make it home.
4. Prepare for the weather. Any weather. All weather. Even if you pay attention to the weather reports before leaving, anything can happen, and you need to be prepared.
5. Have a plan. Know the route you plan to take, the sites you intend to visit, and the places you expect to go on each leg of your hike. Whether you’re planning an extended event or just hiking for an afternoon, your plan can be your lifeline. Share that plan with a trusted friend.
6. Check in regularly. One of the most important things to do on extended hikes is to have one point person you check in at pre-determined times. This helps you have someone on the outside who is expecting to hear from you and can create a response if you do not check in at the prescribed times.
7. Be aware of your surroundings. It’s not just people you have to worry about when hiking. Depending on where you’re hiking, there are a variety of wild animals, snakes, insects, etc. you need to be looking for.
8. Pack wisely. Careful planning can get you through the expected. But you must plan for a few unexpected things along the way as well. Pack a few extra protein bars and some safety equipment as well, in case the unexpected adds some additional time to your hike.
9. Don’t take on more than you can handle. Different hikers have different skill levels. Don’t tackle a hike that may be beyond your abilities when hiking alone.
10.  Bring along a personal GPS tracking device. This can be one of the most important tools you pack for your solo hike. No matter how turned around you become, a personal GPS tracking device can help you find your way home. It can also identify where you are, so that if you need to call for help (for yourself or someone else in distress you encounter along the way) you can lead your rescuers to your precise location.

These 10 tips can be life and sanity saving when you’re on your next solo hike. Use them well to help protect yourself and others you may encounter during your journey.

If you operate a fleet of vehicles, you’re well aware that fuel prices are on the rise yet again. With rising fuel costs, all eyes begin to look inward for opportunities to conserve fuel and save money across the entire organization. Below you will find five ways you can reduce your fuel costs per mile.

1. Improve Your Maintenance Management

Scheduled maintenance is one of the most important tools in your arsenal when it comes to combating fuel costs. It helps to reduce the amount of fuel consumed per mile your vehicle is in operation by helping it operate more efficiently. Not only does this save your business when it comes to fuel costs, but also helps to eliminate unnecessary breakdowns and downtime as well.

2. Create Fuel-Efficient Policies for Drivers

Driver behavior is another driving force behind mile-high fuel costs. While the costs of diesel and gasoline seem to rise as a matter of course, wasteful actions of drivers can have an even greater impact on fuel costs to your organization. In fact, some action can really ramp up your fuel consumption and usage.

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The National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) collected statistics on stolen boats. In 2017, 4,864 watercraft were stolen, according to the NICB. This represents a five percent decrease over watercraft thefts in 2016 but remains a much higher number than any boat or watercraft owners likes to hear. The top three counties and cities for watercraft thefts all happen to be in Florida, according to the crime bureau report.

Most Common Types of Watercraft Targeted for Theft

There are many different types of watercraft available to consumers today. Some present more attractive targets for thieves, like these types of watercraft which are the most frequently targeted by thieves.

• Personal watercraft. Otherwise known as jet skis, these craft accounted for 1,180 thefts with a recovery rate of 27 percent meaning that only 321 of them were recovered.
• These fun boats accounted for 618 thefts but offer more favorable recovery rates with nearly 43 percent, or 268 of them being recovered after their thefts.
• Utility boats. Accounting for 285 thefts in 2017 and 109 recoveries, representing a recovery rate of only 38 percent.
• 185 of the boats stolen in 2017 were cruisers. These boats though, offer a more favorable recovery rate than many others with 56 percent of them, or 103 of the stolen cruisers recovered.

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