The colder weather and the upcoming holidays are a great time to be out in the backcountry but there are safety precautions that one should take when enjoying the outdoors during this time of year.

“With the holiday coming, I know people are going to be out in the backcountry – snowshoeing and snowmobiling and all that fun stuff, just be aware of the danger you are in. One thing that I recently learned that it had never crossed my mind is if you see an avalanche report it,” said Carbon County Sheriff Jeff Wood. Individuals who trigger an avalanche are not in trouble but it’s important to get officials out there to the site to make sure that its safe for others who may be in or around that area.

“Be careful about that and make sure that you have all your tools with you, make sure that someone knows where you are, you’re riding with buddies or you’re in the backcountry with friends. You have your beacons, you have your tools you need, those cool little backpacks are nice that inflate keep you afloat if you get in an avalanche. Probes, you need that all kind of things to go into the backcountry just in case because you would not want to be there and have someone buried in the avalanche and not have nothing you can do to help,” said Sheriff Wood. Being prepared beforehand is key in keeping yourself and others safe while enjoying the wintery outdoors.

The Carbon County Sheriff’s Office would like to wish everyone a safe and happy Christmas holiday.