With Daylight Saving Time upon us, it’s essential to find ways to ensure that you stay safe when you’re walking your dog when it’s already dark at 4:30 in the afternoon. When the sun sets earlier and earlier, we become less visible to cars as well as other pedestrians, making nighttime dog walks somewhat precarious. Thankfully, there are solutions—aside from strapping a headlamp on, that is. We’ve rounded up five of the best products for dogs (and humans!) out there right now that will keep you safe this fall and winter.
1) A Reflective Harness
Many harnesses for dogs have some reflective material on them, but this one takes it to the next level, putting a strip of reflective fabric on each surface of the harness. It’s available in red, black, and royal blue, and the reflective strips ensure that your pup will be unmistakably illuminated when light shines on them.
2) A Dog Collar Light
Similar to how many cyclists use headlights and taillights when biking in the dark, this collar light ensures other people see your pooch. Versatile and lightweight,, this collar light is available in yellow or red—use one on your pet’s collar or alternate a few different lights for additional visibility. It’s an easy way to make sure that people see your dog.
3) An LED Leash
If one little light on your dog’s collar is not bright enough for you, you’ll love the Dog-e Glow LED collar and leash. Visible for up to 1,000 feet, LED tubes are sewn right into the durable fabric leash, which has a fun dog-bone print. This leash is six feet long, perfect for small or big dogs. This is ideal for keeping not just your dog visible, but you as well—since the leash connects you to the dog, the bigger lit-up presence will be easier to spot.
4) LED Shoe Lights
Perfect for runners or walkers, this product is more geared toward the owner than the dog. These LED lights are water resistant and easy to attach to your shoelaces, and twist to turn on and off. Use them on dog walks or your own jogging routes—they’re lightweight and non-invasive, and are available in red or green.
5) Reflective Vests for People
Many nighttime runners invest in reflective vests or suspenders that can be easily worn over clothing and are not obtrusive. This vest/harness is available in orange or yellow, clips on very easily, and featured two strips of reflective fabric on each surface. This product is ideal if you like to go jogging with your dog, as its reflective material is more at eye-level with drivers than a collar light might be. In other words, you’ll be easier to spot since it’s a bigger reflective area.
Another way to stay safer during dog walks is to simply schedule them earlier in the day if you can. Find a dog walker to come over before the sun sets, and that can be your pup’s longer walk for the day—then you can simply take them out one quick last time before bed, so you won’t have to be outside in the dark for too long.
What do you use to make yourself and your dog visible during these dark autumn and winter nights?
