Rules for Safe Hiking in the Mountains

Before every tour, assess the mountaineering experience and physical condition of all participants, including children. Alpine hikes often demand surefootedness and an absence of any dizziness issues.
Plan carefully using tour descriptions and maps. Information provided by mountaineering clubs and local experts, incl. staff at alpine huts, can often be decisively helpful.
Make sure you have appropriate equipment and clothing. Above all, sturdy, high-ankle shoes with a good tread, as well as protection against the rain and cold, are very, very important.
Before setting out, tell your hosts or friends your route and destination, and the time you expect to return.
Adjust your tempo to the weakest members of the group. Especially at the start of a hike, it's important to look out for anyone who is walking slowly. Keep a close eye on the others, so that you can recognize signs of exhaustion early.
Don't leave the marked trails. Use great caution when traversing steep grassy hillsides, especially when it is wet (danger of slipping). Crossing steep fields of snow or even glaciers is particularly hazardous.
Don't kick stones or rocks (danger of injuring other hikers). Areas where there is a rock fall danger should be negotiated one person at a time, quickly and without stopping.
When the weather changes suddenly, fog rolls in, the trail gets too difficult or is in bad condition, turn back. It's nothing to be ashamed about. In fact, it demonstrates good common sense.
If there is an accident, keep calm. If you can't help yourself adequately, try to summon assistance on your mobile phone, by shouting, using a signal light or waving large items of clothing. In general, an injured hiker should not leave the scene of the accident, and should never be left alone.
Be respectful of flora and fauna. Pack out all of your trash.
How to behave with grazing farm animals: Don't agitate cows, calves, sheep, horses etc., instead behave quite normally and show no fear. Do not leave paths across alpine pastures, and put a big distance between you and the animals.
Dogs must be on a lead. Dogs can never be allowed to chase grazing animals. Mother cows, especially, are very protective of their calves. If, however, an animal happens to attack your dog, let go and allow your dog to run away from the danger.