List: 10 Ways to Avoid Death While Visiting a U.S. National Park

Thousands of families, friends, and individuals visit the U.S. National Parks each year. Unfortunately some of them do not make it back home. Sometimes preexisting health conditions are the cause of death, but in many cases the cause of death could have been avoided. Here are ten things to keep in mind the next time you visit a park in order to ensure a safe trip and wonderful memory of the vacation for all parties.

1. Drink water. This is especially valid in the summer and in southwestern climates where dehydration can occur more quickly. In addition to drinking water, eating salty snacks is a good way to avoid getting what is called hyponatremia (electrolyte imbalance). Water also helps cool your body helping to avoid hyperthermia. If you feel hot and out of breath, get to shade, sit down, and get some water.

2. Stay a safe (i.e. far) distance from animals. If an animal has horns, teeth, or is large, it can easily kill you. Adults have been tossed like ragdolls into the air by buffalo in Yellowstone National Park because they wanted to get a closer video.

3. Don't feed the animals. Quite simply, animals bite, and not all wild animals are healthy. Feeding animals also creates a nuisance and threat for future visitors. Not only it does it cause the animals to become reliant on human handouts, it keeps them in human areas, for instance, outside of your tent.

4. Avoid consuming things found in the wilderness. Many plants are poisonous. It is safe to assume that all water found in the wild is contaminated.

5. Check the weather and road conditions/closures. Don't get caught up in a hurricane in Everglades National Park or a flash flood in Zion National Park. Check online or call the park.

6. Dress appropriately. Proper footwear is a must. Comfortable, already broken-in sneakers or boots with good tread and ankle support are the way to go. Wearing comfortable clothing is a general rule of thumb, but layering and thermals can be essential. Looking unfashionable and silly is perfectly acceptable at national parks--haven't you seen some of the t-shirts they sell?

7. Throw away your trash according to park regulations. Bears are a real threat, do not let them swipe you while trying to swipe your garbage.

8. Follow fire regulations. There is a fire danger index indicated at the entrance to every park, ask for an explanation of what the index level prevents you from doing. Like Smokey Bear says, only you can prevent forest fires.

9. Follow safety restrictions. Do not be that person who had to climb over the railing to the rocks below, and then fell off the Grand Canyon.

10. Know your limitations and respect them. Do not go back country camping if you do not know how. Don't be afraid or embarrassed to take breaks, most people are not triathletes.

Be smart, use common sense, follow the rules, and know hazards before they arrive. Remember that every park and every season brings out different elements. Research the dangers of the park you plan to visit before arriving so that you will come prepared and leave happy.