• Kids: Do not visit any Military site, unless you are accompanied by a responsible adult:

Sadly, the danger of the site itself is not the only thing you have to worry about. These places may also sometimes be visited by people who can be dangerous to you - as well. If you're not sure what this means, ask a parent or care-giver. It's important!

• Do your "homework". Research where you want to go. Find out about the topography of the area. Is legal access allowed? Are there obvious physical hazards with the site? What eqipment will you need?

• Many sites are located on public land, but others are not. Don't Trespass! If the site you want to visit is on private or Government property - get the appropriate permission's first. (This is important: Quite aside from the legal ramifications for you, Trespassing simply "stuffs it up" for your fellow enthusiasts - when they seek permission for access. It also gives the lot of us a bad name).

• Be aware, that with the prevailing World situation - Trespassing on Military (or other "security sensitive") land may be viewed much more seriously than in years gone by. What once may have earned a verbal warning, may now result in prosecution - and land you in a lot of trouble! 

• We rely very much on the goodwill of private and Government land owners in obtaining access to sites. "Abuse it - and you (and we all) loose it". When you are granted permission for access to sites on private or Government land, a letter of thanks - following your visit, is appropriate.

If the site you are visiting is on farmland, remember to leave gates exactly as you find them: (Open, or closed - as the case may be.) Be careful not to disturb livestock - and don't walk over growing crops. If you have a dog, leave it at home!

• Don't ever be tempted to break into structures that are locked, sealed - or otherwise secured, in order to satisfy your curiosity. Doing so is an act of Vandalism (possibly also constituting Breaking and Entering) that is guaranteed to get you into trouble with the Law.

• Leave your spade at home, too! Any unauthorised excavation at historic sites can also cause you major problems with the Law. The penalties for unlawfully digging at protected sites are severe. They include fines of many thousands of dollars - and serious Jail time!

Ancient and modern Fort builders basically chose prominent headlands and hilltops as the sites for their constructions, for the same strategic reasons. Many "old" and "new" Fortifications therefore share the same space:

While the modern structures may be all that is visible today - there may be earlier ones, under or around them, that are of considerable importance to Indigenous Peoples - and Archaeologists!

• Make sure someone else knows where you are going - and preferably don't go alone. (Many sites are in isolated areas.) You need backup if something goes wrong. As stated above, these areas can also be magnets for "undesirables".

• Read all warning and information signs at sites that you visit - and obey the instructions on them! There are physical hazards that can hurt you: Crumbling masonry that can fall on you, exposed shafts you can fall down - and proximity to sheer cliffs. (Don't under-estimate the latter: People have been killed, by simply "slipping over the edge".)

• Never enter areas where there are warnings of the presence of Asbestos, PCB's - or other dangerous contaminants. (Some former Military sites found post-War uses as storage or dumping grounds for dangerous goods and chemicals, some of which are highly carcinogenic [cause cancer] - and may cause birth defects, or other serious health problems!)

• If you are going underground, take at least 2 light sources with you. Use electric torches, not naked flame. Don't light a fire underground, under any circumstances - and be aware that some deep underground complexes may have pockets of "bad air". If it doesn't "smell right" - or you start feeling strange, get out!

• Watch out for debris on floors, missing (or rotten) drainage hatch covers, open shafts and missing cable channel gratings. 

• Beware of corroded metal fixtures such as hand rails, ladders and gratings. Rotten wooden floors, roofs, stairs - and other fixtures, may also present a very real hazard. Check such items carefully - before you put your weight on them!

• Remember, your cell phone won't work underground - and the site may well be outside of the coverage area, anyway. Another good reason to "take a buddy" with you.

• Beware of flooded areas. The water may be only ankle deep, but is there a shaft in the middle of the room? - or an engine bed or cable channel that could trip you up? (The latter are really good for breaking ankles in!)

• UNEXPLODED MUNITIONS: -  A SERIOUS problem, in many parts of the World. THE RULES ARE SIMPLE:

             A) - DON'T TOUCH THEM! - (ALWAYS treat ANY  "old munitions" you find as: "LIVE!")

             B) - Get away from them - and warn anybody else in the area.

             C) - Report them to the Police (or, the local Military - if appropriate.) They can arrange expert removal and disposal!

Unexploded munitions are lethal. A rifle bullet can blow off your hand (or worse) - and anything bigger can literally "vaporise" you - and kill or maim anybody else, within a considerable radius! 

• Finally, do not be tempted to take souvenirs. Removing artefacts from historic sites is a serious Criminal matter in most jurisdictions - and quite rightly so. "Take nothing but pictures - and leave nothing but footprints."

Good luck - and happy, lawful and safe exploring!