Walking Injuries and Prevention 10 'Pokemon Go' Real World Dangers to Avoid By Wendy Bumgardner Wendy Bumgardner Facebook Twitter Wendy Bumgardner is a freelance writer covering walking and other health and fitness topics and has competed in more than 1,000 walking events. Learn about our editorial process Updated on November 22, 2021 Fact checked Verywell Fit content is rigorously reviewed by a team of qualified and experienced fact checkers. Fact checkers review articles for factual accuracy, relevance, and timeliness. We rely on the most current and reputable sources, which are cited in the text and listed at the bottom of each article. Content is fact checked after it has been edited and before publication. Learn more. by Elaine Hinzey, RD Fact checked by Elaine Hinzey, RD LinkedIn Elaine Hinzey is a registered dietitian, writer, and fact-checker with nearly two decades of experience in educating clients and other healthcare professionals. Learn about our editorial process Print Pokémon Go is an addictive game app that can be a great way to encourage you to get out and walk or bike. In fact, you have to walk a mile or more to hatch eggs into monsters in the game. However, there are some inherent dangers of distracted walking and cycling. Stories of players getting injured, stumbling into trouble, or having the police called to investigate suspicious behavior have circulated the media. Here are a few things to keep in mind before you begin your Pokémon hunt. Be Cautious With Your Personal Information Robert Couse Baker/Flickr/CC by 2.0 When you first log into the Pokémon Go app, you have the choice of creating or using a Pokémon Trainer Club membership or using your Google account login. You can also link your Facebook account for login. While Niantic (which was developed inside Google) says they only access your basic information, you may not want to give this permission. Some players create a unique Google account to use only with Pokémon Go so their main Google account isn't accessed by the app. Build Up Your Walking Time for Hatching Pokémon Eggs MorePixels/E+/Getty Images Besides roaming about hunting monsters and refueling at Pokestops, you'll have to walk a few kilometers to hatch your Pokémon eggs. If you've been mostly sedentary, you need to build up your walking time gradually to avoid muscle strain and blisters. Start with 10 or 15 minutes and increase the time and distance over the course of days and weeks. You'll discover that good walking shoes can make your Pokémon hunt more efficient and comfortable. Walking 30-Day Quick Start Guide and Beyond Don't Be a Distracted Walker While You Play Drew Angerer/Getty Images The Pokémon Go app encourages you to get out and walk and visit places of interest to capture virtual monsters, find PokéStops and gyms to gather items and train your creatures. But if you are looking at your screen and not the sidewalk, you run the risk of trips, falls, bumping into people and objects, and getting hit in the street or crosswalk. Impose rules on yourself and your fellow players that screens are down when you cross streets. Use the sidewalks rather than walking in the street. If you need to stop, pull out of the stream of traffic on the sidewalk, so you aren't an obstruction. Don't Trespass on Private Property Wendy Bumgardner © The Pokémon Go terms of service say, "You also agree not to use the App to violate any applicable law, rule, or regulation (including but not limited to the laws of trespass)...you will not enter onto private property without permission." There may be monsters, PokéStops, and gyms that are erroneously located on private property. Or they may be on public property with restricted hours. Don't expect people to understand you are just playing a game. If you look like a threat to them, you may find yourself facing the police or a frightened homeowner, shopkeeper, or security guard. 11 Rules for Staying Safe While Walking Be on Guard at PokeStops and Gyms Drew Angerer/Getty Images Are the others gathered at a PokeStop or gym there to battle and raid Pokémon—or have you been lured in by a potential attacker? There are reports of players being robbed in these areas. You may want to do your gameplay only during daylight hours and accompanied by friends. Listen to your instincts. Parents should be extra aware of their children's whereabouts when they are frequenting PokeStops and gyms. Be Respectful of People Around You James Whitaker/Digital Vision/Getty The Pokémon Go terms of service say, "You will not inflict emotional distress on other people, will not humiliate other people (publicly or otherwise), will not assault or threaten other people." If you are in a store or a park and trying to catch a rare Pokémon or join in a raid, don't toss off snide replies to store employees, other shoppers, passersby, etc. These can lead to verbal and physical confrontations. If you are gathered at a PokeStop or gym, keep your comments civil, so you don't provoke a fight or have passersby call the police on your group. Be Mindful of Other People in Your Photos Drew Angerer/Getty Images The Pokémon Go game encourages you to take photos of Pokémon in real-life settings. But beware that people may not want to be in your photos, or have their children appear in the background. Homeowners and business owners may feel threatened if you are taking photos of their house or store, thinking you are casing it for a burglary. Photography may not be allowed inside businesses, museums, or churches. Practice Night Walking Safety Westend61/Getty Images You may feel like a ninja dressing in black as you stroll the streets hunting Pokémon. But being invisible to traffic after dark is a very bad idea. Wear light colors and reflective items or a strobe light. You don't have to sneak up on Pokémon and you will look like less of a threat when you aren't dressed like a cat burglar. If you are walking in areas without street lights, carry a flashlight or wear a headlamp. Strategies for Walking at Night Don't Run Out of Power or Data for Your Phone JGI/Jamie Grill / Getty Images The Pokémon Go app uses GPS and you may have the screen on for long periods. If you've roamed far from home on the hunt, you may find your battery drained. Now you'll have to navigate back home on your own. If you rely on GPS for directions, bring along a spare power source to keep charged. You may also find you are hitting your cell data limits as you roam and incur charges. Be Prepared for Weather Conditions Mike Harrington/Photographer's Choice RF/Getty Images Pokémon Go may lure you out of your house in all kinds of weather. Be prepared for the elements. Learn how to walk in the rain, how to dress for cold weather walking, and be prepared for walking in hot weather. If you're going to go out in the ice and snow, you'll want foot traction cleats. Have fun, be safe, and go catch them all! Pokémon GO and More Apps That Make You Exercise 2 Sources Verywell Fit uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Pokemon Go. Keeping your account secure. Miller RW. Teens used Pokémon Go app to lure robbery victims, police say. USA Today. Additional Reading American Safety Council. The dangers of Pokemon GO. By Wendy Bumgardner Wendy Bumgardner is a freelance writer covering walking and other health and fitness topics and has competed in more than 1,000 walking events. 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