Natural wonders present hazards. Rocks roll, trees topple, and limbs drop without warning. Wild animals, uneven ground, and changing weather can pose dangers. People may create hazards through campfires, traffic, snowplay, and poor decisions. Most park deaths result from drowning in rivers.

The Park Service works hard to reduce risks and provide you with the best information., but in the end you are responsible for your safety. Keep alert. Know about the hazards where you are going and what you are doing. Read warnings and ask a ranger for advice.

Drowning:

• Water is the main cause of death here. Rocks are smooth and slippery. Once you fall in a river, the cold, swift water quickly saps your strength. Getting out unaided is often nearly impossible.
• Stay away from the water’s edge. Many drowning victims were walking or climbing near rivers and unexpectedly fell in.
• Spring runoff is particularly dangerous in rivers. Climbing on rocks and boulders near rivers can be very unsafe as they may shift suddenly, spilling you into the rapids.

Driving Mountain Roads

• BRAKES BURN OUT ON DOWNHILLS: Frequent braking can overheat brakes, causing them to fail.
  To avoid this, always downshift (in automatic vehicles, put the gearshift on 1, 2, or L). The engine gets louder but it will save your brakes.
• LET OTHERS PASS: Slower vehicles must use paved turnouts to let vehicles behind them pass. Do this even if you are going the speed limit.
• WILDLIFE ON THE ROADS:  Slow down! Wildlife has the right of way. Everything from tarantulas and snakes to deer and bears need to cross these roads safely.
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Insects bites:

• Ticks are common in foothill grasses. Check yourself after a walk. Their bite is painless, but a small percentage carry Lyme disease. Remove ticks carefully with tweezers. Seek a ranger's and/or doctor's advice.
• Fleas on rodents can carry plague. Deer mice feces can carry hantavirus. Please do not feed or touch ANY park animals.
• Mosquitos can carry the West Nile virus. The chance of infection is low and human illness unusual. Still, try to avoid mosquito bites. In mosquito areas, wear protective clothing or use repellant.

Dehydration:

• Park air is usually dry and the sun strong. Many people are mildly dehydrated all the time. If you stop urinating or have very yellow urine, you need to drink immediately.
• Other symptoms of dehydration are paleness, fatigue, headache, nausea, light-headedness, vomiting, increased body temperature, or an inability to concentrate.
• Drink plenty of fluids. Drink frequently. Sports drinks help supply electrolytes lost through sweat. But the most important thing is to keep enough water in your body.

Hypothermia:

• Hypothermia is a life-threatening condition which can occur year-round and in temperatures as high as the 60s. Stay dry and snack often.
• If others don't respond to the need for warmer clothes or are stumbling, forgetful, or extremely tired and drowsy, get warm sugary drinks into them immediately. Get them into dry clothing, sleeping bags, and shelter.
• If symptoms continue or worsen, seek medical help immediately.

Sunburn:

• Sunlight contains UV radiation that can quickly burn skin and eyes — especially at higher altitudes. Use protective clothing, hats, and sunscreen.
• On hikes, carry extra sunscreen with you.
• Be especially careful around water as UV rays are reflected upward burning unexpected areas and doubling your exposure.

Wild animals:

• Although rattlesnakes and cougars live here, they are shy and will try to avoid you if given a chance.
• Always watch where you put your hands and feet, especially when climbing on warm rocks.
• Most snake bites here result from teasing or handling. Very few people die from bites, but tissue damage can be severe. If bitten, avoid panic. Call a ranger or 911.
• Chances of seeing a cougar (also called a mountain lion) are very small. But on rare occasions, cougars have attacked people and pets.
• Avoid hiking alone — especially jogging. Avoid any behavior that makes you look like prey.
• If you see a cougar, your goal is to convince it that you do not want trouble but may be dangerous. Don't run or turn your back. Instead look as large as possible by raising your arms over your head. Pick up children. Wave your hands and shout. If attacked, fight back. Report any cougar sightings to a ranger.

Lightning:

• As soon as you see dark clouds or lightening or hear thunder, get inside a large building or a vehicle (not a convertible). Otherwise crouch down on the ground (don't lie down).
• Don't stand near large solitary trees. Avoid projecting above the surrounding landscape such as standing on a ridge, on Moro Rock, or in meadows. Stay away from open water, wire fences, and metal railings which can carry lightning from a distance.
• Be aware that lightning can strike ahead of a coming storm — even when there is blue sky overhead.

Plants:

• Poison oak is common in the foothills up to 5,000 feet.
• Red in the fall with whitish berries, bare in the winter, in spring it has shiny green leaves in groups of three.
• If you touch poison oak, wash skin and cloths thoroughly as soon as possible.

Drinking water:

• Do not drink water from streams, rivers, creeks, or lakes. Giardia is present in all natural water sources in the park and can cause serious illness.
• Each of the parks' 13 water systems is tested regularly to ensure meeting state and federal standards. Annual Consumer Confidence Reports are available at visitor centers or by calling 559-565-3341.

Air quality:

• Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless gas that can kill in enclosed areas. Never burn charcoal in enclosed spaces such as a tent, camper, or RV.
• Ozone and other air pollutants are an increasing problem in the parks. Each day, the park issues an air-quality index forecast available in visitor centers. Ozone levels are highest from May-October and peak in late afternoon. If the air-quality index is poor, restrict activity.

Cell phones:

• Cell phones generally don't work in the parks because of the great distance to cell towers and the rugged terrain. Don't count on cell phones working here. Note where pay phones are available or ask a ranger.