Title: Explain the dangers and hazards associated with the outdoors.
Course: Outdoor Recreation, Parks, and Tourism Systems Management (18549) > Section: Developing Safety Skills and Awareness

Explanation should include hazards such as

- plants (e.g., poison ivy, poison oak, sumac)
- animals (e.g., bears, snakes, coyotes)
- insects (e.g., mosquitoes, ticks, bee stings)
- arachnids (e.g., brown recluse, black widow)
- environmental exposure and weather hazards (e.g., hypothermia, heat stroke, lightning)
- pathway obstructions
- chemical use (e.g., gas stoves)
- burns (e.g., from boiling water or campfires)
- cuts (e.g., from utility knives)
- waterborne threats (e.g., the importance of purification methods)
- water safety and boating safety (see the Virginia Boater Education and the American Canoe Association)
- other recreationists and their behaviors (e.g., safety during hunting season).

Process/Skill Questions:

- What methods can be used to educate the public about wild animals?
- Where can one learn about hunting seasons in the local recreation area?
- What hazardous plants, animals, and insects are commonly found in Virginia's outdoor recreation areas?
- How can one communicate hazards to the public?
- What chemical safety issues might arise in an outdoor recreation area?
- Who is required to complete Virginia's boater education course?
- Why is it important to prepare for unexpected weather conditions?