Be Visible Walking at Dusk, Dawn or at Night
Thanks to Leesa Willis for this suggestion.
Need to walk your dog or go for a walk just to get out of the house? If the
sun is going down (dusk), before it comes out (dawn), or when it's gone (at
night), Leesa suggests you wear light clothing and/or carry a flashlight, or
just make yourself visible somehow.
 "I
wish we could get word out to our early morning or late evening walkers. I
wonder if the police have any information that would help or even some
reflective vests to hand out. I go to the pool very early every morning and I
cannot tell you how many walkers I do not see until I'm right up on them. It's
amazing how many folks wear dark clothing (click on picture to
see the difference clothing makes). They are absolutely invisible."
Leesa is not alone.
 I
was walking my dog just after the sun went down.
 My
friend was backing out of a driveway. I saw her and moved out of the way, but
she didn't see me. When her car was in the street, she was startled to see me
waiting for her. She said I'd scared the daylights out of her
(sorry, couldn't resist the pun) and almost gave her a heart attack!
After that, I didn't go out without my small LED flashlight (also a good idea,
if only to scoop poop).
I also
 ordered
flashers to clip onto the traffic side of my shirt or jacket. They came as a
packet of two. Since my dog is black, I clip one on the top of her harness so
people can see her, too. I liked this because it was rechargeable so I don't
have to change batteries. I also liked it because it also came with short velcro
straps for securing the flasher onto a bike or leash and longer velcro straps to
put on your arm or wrist. They also came with a carrying pouch, but I don't use
it since I keep them by the door.
A few years back, the district (I believe) was
selling flashers that you hung medallion-like around your neck. They were
attention getting, but since many of us can't see as well at night and tend to
drive down the middle of the road unless another car is coming, I felt I really
needed two to be really safe, one in the front and one in the back, plus the
flashing under my eyes could pose a problem and reduce my ability to see. They
even had a place you could take it for the battery to be replaced for you at no
extra cost. It was a good idea, but I wanted something smaller.
There are other products you might like. There is reflective clothing you can
wear that illuminates when light hits it, or get a reflective vest to slip over
your shirt or jacket before going out (as low as $6.99 online
at Walmart).
 
But at the very least, please wear
light-colored clothing when walking near or after dark.
P.s., I do not recommend those cute little flashers that clip onto
your dog's collar. I had one in the shape of a little bone, but it stopped
flashing when my dog stopped to sniff and she stopped to sniff a lot.
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