Being a fan of Pokemon ever since I could annoy my parents about it, I have been on board the train for hype over Pokemon Go. The game is an app for your apple or android device. The app is designed to access your maps and track your location like a GPS. On the app, you can walk around and watch as a little sprite will walk on the map following your location. After walking for a while, a Pokemon will eventually pop up on your screen in front of you. From there, you can tap it and the app will activate your camera and a Pokemon will appear on the screen in front of you! From there you throw a pokeball at it and hope you catch it! Other features of the app is that there are locations that are placed around the map where you can visit to get pokeballs and other items. The game is a fun way to bring the world of Pokemon forth in a way that interacts with you! But as I was playing I was thinking about it a lot when considering the world around me. So I wanted to write a list of things to be aware of when you play the game, in hopes that people will read it to stay safe.

1. Please look where you are going when you have the app open. I know it’s exciting after years to have a pidgey jump up and down in front of you on your phone screen, but be aware that you are in the real world, and that people may not see you. I urge that you do not access this app and drive for numerous reasons. If you ride your bike, please do not access the app when you are on a busy road, and if you need to do something please pull off the path if you can and get out of the way for people.
2. While it’s fun to imagine you are in the world of Pokemon, remember you are not. It’s very easy for someone distracted by their phone to be robbed, assaulted, or kidnapped. Be aware of the people around you and where you are.
3. While it’s fun to explore an old place in this amazing new way, try to remember where you are. Don’t get carried away and stray too far from where you are in case you get lost. Especially if your phone is low on battery.
4. Make sure your phone is fairly charged, and turn on power save mode in the game settings as well as in your battery settings. Early today on a bike ride my tire had blown out somehow. My phone had enough battery, but I would’ve had to walk home with a flat time if I didn’t have a phone available, so watch your battery life and try to leave the house with a fairly charged battery.
5. Be aware of the time. It can get late pretty quickly before you know it. I was riding around for a while, and it got dark very quickly. Try to note how late it is, and how far away you are from home. Walking around in the dark can be dangerous for a number of reasons.
6. Bring water! This is a lighter suggestion, but you will most likely be walking around in the hot sun for a while. I was fine on my bike, but I should’ve brought a bottle of water in case I got to hot. Heat exhaustion can be dangerous with people, and even more so if there is no one around you to get help. Try to keep that in mind.
7. Have fun and enjoy yourself! Don’t forget to have a fun time while still minding your surroundings. Catch as many Pokemon as you can and train them up so you can be the best you can be!