Spring is in the air and summer is around the corner, and as a result, many people are already heading outdoors for their workouts. But there are some tips you should know, not to mention some laws. Our Elyse Mickalonis has more.

  To view our videos, you need to
enable JavaScript. Learn how.
install Adobe Flash 9 or above. Install now.

Then come back here and refresh the page.

NATIONAL -- As temperatures heat up and days get longer, many people will be outside burning calories. Whether you walk, run or bike the State Police said the say there are some safety tips you should follow.

“If you’re going to be out jogging, if you have the chance, run on a sidewalk use that. If you’re running on a rural road that doesn’t have one, run as far left as possible into the flow of traffic to see what’s coming,” said Sgt. Daniel C. Guilfoyle, NYSP Troop C.

Another important rule is to tell people where you are going and when you’ll be back.

“If you fall and twist an ankle, so someone can come look for you. Make sure someone knows the route you’ll be running to make it easier for them to find you in case of an emergency,” said Guilfoyle.

They say it’s important to stay in well-lit and populated areas, but people who choose to run at night or in dark areas should wear reflective gear. And if music is your motivation, they suggest turning it down.

“You want to keep the volume at a level when you can still hear traffic,” said Guilfoyle.

Trooper Guilfoyle said people need to pay attention, watch out for animals and never get too close to strangers.

“Never approach a vehicle. If someone asks for directions, keep your distance, so if someone makes a sudden movement you can move away,” said Guilfoyle. “If you’re in an area and feel unsafe, leave and make a lot of noise bring attention to yourself so people can help.”

Troopers say if you’re going to run and carry something to protect yourself, such as pepper spray, the best thing to do is keep it somewhere close to you, where you can reach it and not at the bottom of a bag. But you also have to know there are certain rules when using it.

"You have to be over the age of 18, never convicted of a felony, never convicted of an assault, and other things like that,” said Guilfoyle.

Protecting yourself so you can enjoy every workout.

Even though pepper spray is legal in New York you should only buy it from an authorized dealer. Many perform background checks on buyers. Animal defense sprays, such as dog and bear spray, are also legal.