Police:
Let us remember to prepare properly for trips to the forest, especially if these excursions take place only occasionally—it is easy to lose one’s bearings in the forest and lose the way back.
This happened to mushroom pickers in Bolesławiec County, who entered the forest and lost the way back.
Aspirant Aleksandra Pieprzycka from the press team of the Provincial Police Headquarters in Wrocław:
Officers from the Police Station in Kruszyn received reports of mushroom pickers getting lost in the forest. On Thursday, around noon, officers received information from a woman that a 75-year-old man had got lost while mushroom picking and did not have a phone with him. Three police patrols were sent to the scene. As always in such a situation, the district officer’s knowledge of the area proved invaluable. The senior was located and safely taken home.
Another report of this kind came the very next day. The spokesperson said: “Before 2 p.m., a group of enthusiasts of forest produce who had come from Wałbrzych to Bolesławiec County lost their bearings. It was worrying that some of the mushroom pickers had diabetes.
She added: “The immediate actions of the station’s officers led them to the people who had got lost, and who were 5 kilometres from the place where they had entered the forest. Fortunately, medical assistance was not needed, and the happy mushroom pickers were taken to the parking area where they had left their cars.
How should you prepare for mushroom picking?
- 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; thanks to them, you will be more visible at night. If you take a dog, it must be kept on a leash.
- Do not carry valuables with you, to avoid losing them.
- For safety reasons, do not enter military training areas, due to the risk of encountering unexploded ordnance.
- If you take children or elderly people with you, do not let them out of your sight.
- Remember distinctive features of the area, such as the numbers on boundary posts, which will help you find the way back more quickly.
- If someone gets lost, becomes separated from the group and remains in the forest for a longer period, they should call the emergency number 112 and, if possible, report where they are located—they should look for a granite boundary post (the number shown on the post will allow rescuers to quickly determine where the missing person is located).
- If the missing person finds the way back on their own, they should immediately notify the Police that assistance is no longer needed.
In addition:
- When going to the forest, secure your vehicle carefully, lock the doors and windows, and leave the car in a visible place so that it does not become easy prey for thieves.
- Do not leave valuable items in the vehicle (navigation equipment, a laptop, mobile phone, handbag, wallet or documents).