Hawaii’s great weather year-round makes it ideal to go jogging or walking as a form of exercise and recreation.

But exercising outdoors means you may have to engage with traffic. If you run, particularly at night, you always need to protect yourself. This is not just from a traffic safety standpoint, but a security-related one as well.

Here are some tips to keep yourself safe while running:

Whether running during the day or night, it’s important that you make yourself visible to drivers and cyclists also on the road. Wear white or bright-colored clothes and reflective gear. Also, make sure you’re running off the street or against traffic so you can see cars coming at you.

While music is a good motivator while exercising, don’t use your smart phone or iPod to listen to music during outdoor runs. Wearing earphones prevents you from hearing oncoming cars or any other potential threat. Save your music for your treadmill runs or jogs in the park or pathways away from traffic.

Have your driver’s license and your medical insurance card (in case you get injured) with you or wear an ID tag on your shoe. If you’re wearing an ID tag or bracelet, make sure it has an emergency contact number on it. Run with your cell phone with ICE (In Case of Emergency) numbers saved on it.

Also, always let a loved one or close friend when and where you’ll be running. That way someone will know to come look for you, if needed.

Always be alert while running near traffic since some drivers may be distracted listening to the radio, talking on their cell phone, or reading a map. Don’t assume that drivers can see you while crossing the street or will stop for you just because you have the right-of-way. Make eye contact with drivers before you cross the street.

If running early in the morning and very late at night, keep in mind that drivers may be overtired and not as attentive to their surroundings.

Avoid isolated environments that could make you a victim to an attack. If you see a suspicious person approaching you, give them as wide a berth on the street or path as possible.