In autumn, many dangerous situations occur in forests. The most common? Mushroom pickers losing their way. Recently, officers from the County Police Headquarters in Bolesławiec conducted a search for a missing 71-year-old mushroom picker. Intensive efforts by police officers, firefighters and soldiers lasted three days. The missing man was found safe and well in Legnica County. Last weekend, uniformed officers also searched for a mushroom picker who had become lost in the forest near Świętoszów.
The police appeal to mushroom pickers—remember these rules:
- tell your loved ones about your trip to the forest; indicate the area where you will be staying and say when you plan to return
- take reflective items or flashlights with you; they will make you more visible at night
- keep a mobile phone with you, as it may be useful in emergency situations
- if you take a dog, be sure to keep it on a leash
- do not carry valuables with you
- for safety reasons, do not enter the training ground
- if you take children or elderly people with you, do not let them out of your sight
- remember distinctive features, such as boundary post numbers, which will help you find your way back more quickly
- if someone becomes lost, separates from the group and remains in the forest for an extended period, they should contact the nearest police unit by calling the emergency number 997 or 112.
If the missing person finds their own way back, they should immediately notify the police that they no longer need assistance.
In addition:
- when going into the forest, secure your vehicle properly and lock the doors and windows; leave the car in a visible place so that it does not become an easy target for thieves
- do not leave valuable items in the vehicle (navigation equipment, a laptop, mobile phone, handbag, wallet or documents).