If you want to escape from city life, moving to the countryside might have already crossed your mind a few times. Beautiful landscapes, tranquil surroundings and a sense of community make rural living immensely attractive. But adapting to life in the countryside can have its own set of challenges, particularly with regards to some safety issues. From unfamiliar terrain to unexpected wildlife encounters, staying safe requires you to be prepared and aware if you want to settle into your countryside dream.

After taking your first lung full of that amazing rural air, it's time to get down to business and familiarise yourself with its surroundings. Explore local trails, footpaths and roads to gain an understanding of its layout. Keep an eye out for potentially hazardous areas such as steep inclines or deep water bodies (those can be prone to flooding, so it's good to know). Locate the important services nearby that include the hospitals, GP’s, veterinarian practices (if you have pets) and put emergency contact numbers on your phone (speed dial is an amazing invention). It's better to make friends with local neighbours as they can give you some valuable local knowledge, like which roads you shouldn't drive at night.

Weather in the countryside can be as predictable as the lotto numbers. One moment it could be blissfully sunny while next thing you know you could be caught in a downpour. Spending some money on proper outdoor gear is a must. These include waterproof jackets, sturdy wellington boots and layers that can adapt to changing temperatures. An LED torch with a long battery life can also come in handy when you explore those unlit country lanes after sunset.

Country living often means sharing space with animals, but not all forms of wildlife are “friendly”. Deer, badgers, foxes and other species can cross the roads unexpectedly, which means that not only do you have to contend with the poor visibility at night, but you should be quick on the brakes too. If you want to have some chickens or rabbits around your country home, make sure their enclosures are secure against possible threats like foxes or dogs. And even though cows and sheep might seem cute and cuddly, always approach their fields carefully especially if a bull is present (the term “raging bull” should come to mind here).

If you decide to go full on country, then you might be thinking of living on a farm. In that case, putting up farm safety signs is important to help make sure everyone's safety and prevent accidents (that is, if they read the signs too). These signs give clear warnings of potential dangers like restricted areas, machinery in use or livestock presence. They help keep those who visit you and even work there alert while increasing awareness. And let's be honest, putting up proper signage shows your commitment to creating an accident-free environment which is especially important if there are children (even small kids can understand pictures better than words) or unfamiliar visitors who do not know the lay of the land.

One of the many benefits of countryside living is its slower, self-sufficient pace. However, this also means that you might have to rely on yourself and your own set of skills in certain circumstances. Power outages are common during extreme weather events, so having candles, torches and power banks ready is a must. Emergency services may take longer to arrive at your location, so be sure to stock up on those first aid goodies. If you can, do a course or watch a Youtube on basic first aid knowledge, especially if you decide to do activities such as gardening or DIY projects, as you never know when an accidental cut could happen.