Autumn is the time when residents from across the province travel to the forests in Bolesławiec County. Fans of forest produce often forget about safety rules and, absorbed in mushroom picking, get into trouble. Unfortunately, in many cases this results in prolonged contact with nature, as mushroom pickers lose their bearings and cannot find their way back to their cars.

That was also the case last weekend, more precisely on Saturday around noon, when the duty officer at the Bolesławiec District Police Headquarters received a report from a 63-year-old resident of Wrocław County, who stated that his 58-year-old companion had walked away in an unknown direction while they were picking mushrooms together. The situation was very dangerous because the mushroom picker had ignored basic safety precautions and had not taken a mobile phone into the forest. Fortunately, officers from the Bolesławiec traffic unit found the man, who this time, instead of mushrooms, got nothing but a fright.

A similar situation occurred again on Sunday, when a couple from Wałbrzych County decided to visit the forests near Przejęsław. Their lack of orientation and fatigue after several hours of walking forced them to call the emergency number 112. Community police officers from Nowogrodziec quickly found the lost mushroom pickers and drove them back to their car.

The police help in such situations, but it is worth remembering that they can easily be avoided by following basic safety precautions. Police officers involved in search operations would then be able to carry out other official duties.

Therefore, we once again remind you of the rules for safe mushroom picking:

  • mark a landmark in your navigation app (on your phone)—the place where you leave your vehicle,
  • inform your loved ones about your trip to the forest, indicate the area where you will be staying and when you plan to return,
  • take reflective elements or flashlights with you; thanks to them, you will be more visible at night,
  • if you take a dog, make sure it is on a leash,
  • do not carry valuables with you to avoid losing them,
  • for safety reasons, do not enter military training grounds because of 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 and the numbers on boundary posts, which will help you find your way back more quickly,
  • if someone gets lost, becomes separated from the group and remains in the forest for an extended period, they should contact the emergency number 112 and, if possible, report their location—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).

If the missing person finds their own way out, they should immediately notify the police that they no longer need help.

Additionally:

  • when going into the forest, secure your vehicle properly, lock the doors and windows, and 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).

Mushroom picker, be responsible.