Edwardsville Police on How to Stay Safe While Playing Pokémon Go

Unless you have been living under a rock recently, you have probably heard of Pokémon Go. It is a smartphone game spawned from the Pokémon franchise. The Pokémon franchise was created in the 1990s, and, in addition to Pokémon Go, has included an animated TV series, card games and video games.

Pokémon Go is an augmented reality game, which involves players venturing out in the world instead of remaining at home. To play Pokémon Go, players must open it on their phone and then go to PokeStops and PokeGyms to collect supplies, such as PokeBalls, capture Pokémon, train Pokémon and battle your Pokémon against other players’ Pokémon. PokeStops and PokeGyms are represented in the real world as local businesses and landmarks, including coffee shops, bars, public parks, churches and libraries. There is even a PokeGym located at the White House!

Unfortunately, while Pokémon Go has provided many with fun and excitement, it has also led to accidents and injuries. Pokémon Go-related accidents and injuries that have been reported include but are not limited to the following:

• Broken bones from slipping and falling into a ditch
• Cut hand from falling and hitting it on a sidewalk
• Collarbone and foot injuries as well as cuts and bruises after being hit by a car

With incidents such as the ones above in mind, the Edwardsville Police Department (“EPD”) released a guide for players about how to stay safe while playing Pokémon Go.

Tips to Stay Safe While Playing Pokémon Go as provided by EPD

At the time of this report, the EPD has yet to record any complaints or injuries related to Pokémon Go. In an effort to keep it that way, the EPD has offered the following tips for players to stay safe while playing Pokémon Go:

1. Play Pokémon Go with a group and stay close to one another while you are playing
2. Do not play Pokémon Go while driving
3. Stay aware of your environment, and be careful not to accidentally walk onto a road and/or in the path of a car or truck while playing Pokémon Go
4. Do not trespass onto another person, business or institution’s property while playing Pokémon Go

What do you think of the Pokémon Go craze? Do you think it is all in good fun? Annoying and/or dangerous? All of the above? Use the Facebook, Twitter and Google+ share buttons below to post this blog on social media along with your thoughts about Pokémon Go. The information provided by Walton Telken, LLC in this Blog is not intended to be legal advice, but merely provides general information related to common legal issues. This Blog, and the information contained within it, is Attorney Advertisement. The choice of a lawyer is an important decision and should not be based solely upon advertisements. Past results afford no guarantee of future results. Every case is different and must be judged on its own merits.