To help mitigate the spread of coronavirus in Arizona, several cities have shut down park amenities and limited trailhead access at high-traffic locations. The idea is to promote social distancing and limit instances of COVID-19. The restrictions follow Governor Doug Ducey’s stay-at-home order that was issued on March 31, 2020 and will last until at least April 30, 2020.
Cities that have closed park amenities include Phoenix, Tucson, Tempe, Mesa, Glendale, and Peoria. The amenities include playgrounds, basketball courts, outdoor fitness equipment, ramadas, and more. While the parks themselves will remain open, individuals are reminded to follow social distancing best practices and to stay at least six feet away from other people.
Follow Arizona Park Safety During COVID-19
Although people are encouraged to stay at home as much as possible, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends exercise as a way to deal with anxiety and stress brought by the Arizona coronavirus outbreak. Getting fresh air and sunlight, as well as a change of scenery, is also good for your mental health. That said, it’s important to practice proper Arizona park safety during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Keep Your Hands Clean and Avoid Touching Surfaces
One of the most effective ways to avoid the coronavirus is keeping your hands clean. Make sure to wash your hands with soap and water before you go to the park. Keep a bottle of hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol content in your pocket. Additionally, avoid touching surfaces at the park, as you don’t know who else has touched them and coronavirus can stay on surfaces for days.
If you do touch anything at the park, disinfect your hands immediately. As always throughout the pandemic, avoid touching your face, eyes, and mouth.
Beware of Slipping and Falling
Slip-and-fall injuries are one of the most common personal injuries in Arizona. Uneven pavement, debris on trails, wet surfaces in restrooms, and more could lead to a simple slip that could result in a serious injury.
It is the duty of local parks and recreation departments to keep walkways and pathways safe for everyone. Failure to do so is negligence. If you’ve been hurt and suspect that it was due to negligence, Lerner and Rowe Injury Attorneys can help determine if you are eligible to receive compensation.
Make Sure to Check Benches and Surfaces
Whether it’s because you want to soak up some sun or if you need a break from your cardio, sometimes you just need to sit down at a park. Be sure to check any surfaces or benches that you sit on.
A precarious rock or a poorly maintained bench could cause a mishap that could lead to cuts, bruises, and even fractures. If your injury is a result of a faulty park bench then our seasoned attorneys may be able to win compensation on your behalf.
Keep Emergency Contacts Handy
Medical professionals are incredibly overworked during the coronavirus pandemic. If you suffer an injury in the middle of a trail or a remote park, immediate help may not be available through public services.
In addition to having local police and emergency assistance numbers handy, it’s a good idea to have the numbers of reliable friends ready. It’s an even better idea to let a few friends or family members know if you’re going for a long walk or hike, so that they can check in on you periodically and you can call them to let them know that you’re safe.
Keep Your Pets Safe Too
The weather in Arizona is currently warm and will be heating up soon. At this time, it’s unknown if and how long stay-at-home orders will last. If you take your pet with you to a park, make sure that they’re safe and comfortable too.
As the weather gets hotter, it becomes more difficult for pets to stay cooler. Make sure they have plenty of water to drink and try to keep them off of hot pavement as much as possible. Also, avoid leaving them in a hot vehicle.
Contact an Arizona Personal Injury Lawyer
Everyone at Lerner and Rowe Injury Attorneys hopes that you, your family, and your friends stay healthy and safe during this trying time. If you go out to a park for some exercise and fresh air, be sure to follow proper Arizona park safety during the COVID-19 outbreak. For tips outside of the park, please read our Arizona coronavirus safety guide.
Should you suffer an injury at a park or anywhere else, please call us at 602-977-1900. Alternatively, you can reach us online through LiveChat and secure contact form. Our staff is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Consultations are free and we do not charge any fees unless your case is won.