Safety Tips are necessary and needed when Jogging - In Tucson on the evening of December 13th a woman jogger was attacked and assaulted while jogging along Rillito Riverwalk between La Canada Drive and La Cholla Boulevard. She was running by herself and also listening to music with headphones on when someone came up from behind her and attacked her. The attacker was a male and he assaulted her several times and was trying to drag her into a nearby wash but she escaped. She received several injuries from this attack.

Unfortunately for the young victim she does not have a good description because it was dark at night and she was attacked from behind. She could not see well or hear anything. The only thing she knows about her attacker is that it was a male and he was wearing a hooded heavy winter jacket. She reported him as having facial hair and of medium height.

If anyone has any information about this incident please call 9-1-1 or 88-CRIME.

If you would like more information about this incident or other safety tips please contact the Pima County Sheriff's Department on their website at pimasheriff.org.

Kinerk, Schmidt & Sethi PLLC wants to help in making joggers aware of their surroundings and bring attention to some things that can be done to help ensure better safety while trying to stay fit.

Here is Ten Things You Can Start Today to help keep you safe and fit.

1. Don't run alone. This can never be a good idea. Take a friend or family member along or join a running club or group.

2. Be creative in where you go to run. Go to an area that has people around all the time. Use populated trails or busy neighborhoods or the new trend is to walk or run the mall strip.

3. Don't limit your hearing ability by wearing headphones. This increases your odds of trouble when you are unable to hear cars, dogs or people coming up on you.

4. Do a visual scan continually so that you see ahead of time things of possible threat to you. Scan your eyes in all directions while running.

5. Think ahead of time of a way out if you were to be attacked.

6. Stalkers look for places they can hide in so try to stay away from places like parked vans, bushes and other objects they could be in or behind.

7. Bring and have access to your cell phone so that you can call in case you need help. There are apps now on newer phones that map your route and allow a family member to locate you after you have sent them the route.

8. Don't make it easy for a stalker to know when and where you will be. Change your routine up.

9. Running at night increases your risk for being assaulted. Use a treadmill or go to a gym if possible instead of a night run.

10. Trust your instincts. If you sense danger, get out. Most times your instincts are right.