The acting Fire Chief for St. Catharines, Jeff McCormick, is reminding hikers to stay safe when out for a walk along the escarpment this summer.
He says that although the number of rescue calls at Decew Falls is down significantly this year with a total of 5 so far, there are some basic safety tips that everyone should follow.
Chief McCormick has two main reminders; the first is to familiarize yourself with the trails and to know where you are going.
The second bit of advice is to bring the proper equipment such as extra water to stay hydrated on hot days, as well as appropriate footwear for trail conditions.
The acting Chief's final tip is for hikers to try and stay on the marked trails and avoid venturing off the path.
He says it's often people that head off the trails in search of the perfect selfie that end up getting themselves into trouble.