May 18, 2007, Newsletter Issue #39: Grand Canyon Safety

Tip of the Week

Safety might not be your first concern when you visit a national park, but it should be. There are several things you should know about safety when you visit Grand Canyon National Park.
• The park's rims are both extremely high in elevation (average 6,800 feet on the South Rim and 8,000 feet on the North Rim). People with heart conditions or breathing problems should be aware of this before they visit, as physical exertion at higher elevations can be difficult and even dangerous.
• Most areas along the rim do not have safety railings or other barriers, and the rocks along the rim can be unstable. Don't go too near the rim, it can be dangerous.
• Keep children away from the rim.
• Keep your dog on a leash at all times. They do not understand the concept of a canyon rim, and many dogs run after animals or people, trot right over the rim, and are killed in the park each year.
• The temperatures in the inner gorge can be at least 20 degrees higher than the temperatures on the rim. Hiking without water in the inner gorge is dangerous, and so is hiking during the hottest parts of the day.
• Don't hike alone, and always tell someone where you are going and when you'll return.
Follow these tips and make your visit to Grand Canyon National Park safer and memorable.

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