Emergency Preparedness

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The Be Street Wise campaign reminds everyone to follow the rules of the road and traffic laws. The goal of the campaign is to make Maryland roadways safer. Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration uses a context-driven approach in the planning and engineering of roadways to provide access and mobility for all users. Education must always support engineering, and that’s why Be Street Wise is so important.

To learn more about the Be Street Wise safety campaign including specific information on driver safety, pedestrian safety and bicycle safety, click on links below:

Driver Safety

Pedestrian Safety

Bicycle Safety

 Statistically, as reported by the Office of Governor Wes Moore in 2023:

• 621 people were killed on Maryland roadways

• Including 158 pedestrians and 15 bicyclists

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the proportion of deaths of people outside the vehicle (motorcyclists, pedestrians, pedal cyclists, and other nonoccupants)

• Low of 20% in 1996
• High of 36% in 2022

Pedestrian injuries and deaths are preventable and according to the Center for Disease Control (CDC) some groups have a higher risk for pedestrian death. Vulnerable population data included:

• Adults aged 65 years and older accounted for 22% of all Pedestrian deaths in 2022
  • While accounting for 17% of the entire U.S. Population in 2022
• Non-Hispanic American Indian, Alaska Native, and Black Persons
  • Highest pedestrian death rates among all racial and ethnic groups in 2022

Everyone at one time or another is a pedestrian. Click NHTSA for tips - drivers, walking safety, and keeping kids safe while they walk. Use this Walkability Checklist to rate your neighborhood’s walkability, as it suggests what can be done to work together to keep pedestrians safe. Learn more about: Safe System Approach

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Howard County is the home to 8 regional parks and 30 neighborhood parks. Check Park hours and locations before going out on the trails. Register for outdoor classes, activities, and/or events. 

Trail Tips:

• Walk or hike in groups whenever possible to avoid being stranded alone and bring a map of the area
• Stay on marked trails
  • wear reflective material
  • carry a whistle or noisemaker
• Drink plenty of water and take frequent rests
• Carry personal identification and a cell phone
• Keep pets on leashes
  • Ask for permission before interacting with unfamiliar pets
  • Bag and tie pest waste, then place it in a trash can
• Do not interact with wildlife 
• Walk Maryland Day – October 1, 2025
• Walktober 2025

Camping Tips from the USDA – Forest Service

• Plan Ahead and Prepare
• Check the Elements - Travel & Camp on Durable Surfaces
• Dispose of Waste Properly
• Leave no trace of your visit
• Ensure Campfires are always attended
• Respect Wildlife
• Be Considerate of Others

Learn more about camping – from remote wilderness areas to local parks and even in your backyard.

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Exploring the great outdoors is fun and promotes movement, but there are also some risk factors. These include illnesses such as Mosquito-Borne Diseases, Tick-Borne Diseases, and rabies. The Maryland Department of Health reports during 2023, there were 2463 Maryland (210 Howard County) probable cases of Lyme Disease. Regarding rabies in Maryland, there were 10,172 (482 in Howard County) animal bites and 1,729 (80 in Howard County) animal non-bite exposure reported in 2023. In Maryland during 2023, the laboratory confirmed rabies cases were 203 (4 Howard County). It is important to take proper precautions when outside.

• Learn how Mosquito-Borne Diseases spread and how to prevent the spread:
  • Howard County Health Department – Mosquito-borne Diseases
  • Maryland Department of Health
  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention      
• Learn about Tick-Borne Diseases and how to prevent the spread:
  • Howard County Health Department – Tick-borne Diseases
  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – Lyme Disease
  • Maryland Department of Health – Lyme Disease
• Learn how Rabies spread and how to prevent the spread:         
  • Howard County Health Department – Rabies Prevention
  • Maryland Department of Health - Rabies
  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – Rabies

The U.S. Clean Air Act requires the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to set the National Ambient Air Quality Standards for these six common air pollutants, which includes detailed information within the National Ambient Air Quality link above. The pollutants below are found all over the United States:

1. Ground-level Ozone
2. Particulate Matter
3. Carbon Monoxide
4. Lead
5. Sulfur Dioxide
6. Nitrogen Dioxide

Pollutants can harm your health and the environment and cause property damage. Click the image below to enlarge and view health effects and learn how to reduce your risk of common air pollutants by using the Air Quality Index to plan outdoor activities.

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Actions you can take to reduce air pollution can be found here.

Resources:

• Check your weather and air quality.
• Video - Move Your Way – US Department of Health & Human Services, Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion
• Bike Howard
• Know which plants are poisonous
• Water treatment while hiking, camping, and traveling 
• CDC- Germs that spread between animals and people