Spring Into New Season With Outdoor Exercise Safety Tips From Verizon Wireless

SOUTHFIELD, MI — Spring Fever is in the air. One of the symptoms of this contagious condition is the yearning to exercise outdoors. Whether you prefer running, walking, biking or roller blading, a wireless phone can provide enhanced safety and convenience while enjoying outdoor activities. Verizon Wireless offers the following tips for exercising safely and calling with care using your wireless phone.

• Always carry a wireless phone outdoors. Whether you're training for a marathon or taking a leisurely stroll through the neighborhood, a wireless phone is your link to help in case of an emergency.
• Be aware of your surroundings at all times. Make sure that you can hear extraneous noise.
• Be careful not to drop, knock or shake your wireless phone. Rough handling can potentially cause damage.
• Make sure your battery is charged, especially if venturing out on a daylong activity.
• Consider bringing along an extra battery.
• Before beginning your exercise routine, determine the most convenient way to carry your phone. Make sure the phone does not get in the way of other equipment, such as a helmet or pads.
• Depending on the type of activity you're partaking in, consider using a hands-free device. For example, if biking, it will allow you to keep both hands on the handlebars. When you turn your phone on, make sure your hands-free device is on and working.
• As you pack or prepare for your outing, consider where you'll keep your phone -- on a belt holster, in a waist- or backpack, or in a bike pack.
• Keep your phone in a secure dry place and away from direct sunlight. Exposure to dampness or the sun could cause damage.
• Pre-program important and frequently dialed numbers, so you can dial them by pressing only a few buttons.
• Use your wireless phone to communicate with your exercise partner(s) if you choose to separate.

About Verizon Wireless

Verizon Wireless is the largest wireless communications provider in the U.S. with 27.5 million wireless voice and data customers. The new coast-to-coast wireless provider was formed by the combination of the U.S. wireless businesses of Bell Atlantic Corp. and GTE Corp -- now Verizon Communications (NYSE:VZ) -- and Vodafone (NYSE and LSE: VOD). The new company includes the assets of Bell Atlantic Mobile, AirTouch Cellular, GTE Wireless, PrimeCo Personal Communications and AirTouch Paging. The company has a footprint covering nearly 90 percent of the U.S. population, 49 of the top 50 and 96 of the top 100 U.S. markets. Verizon Wireless, headquartered in Bedminster, NJ, is 38,000 employees strong. Reporters and editors can find more information about the company on the Web at http://www.verizonwireless.com.

###

####