Toms River Issues 8 Pokemon Go Safety Tips, With Humor

Toms River, NJ -- With Pokemon Go taking over people's lives, officials from towns across the country are issuing warnings to gameplayers to be careful, from cautions about criminals using the game to lure victims to reminding people to watch where they walk.

The GPS-enabled smartphone game has taken the country by storm since its introduction July 6, and the excitement over the game has sometimes led to people abandoning common sense, officials have said.

Toms River officials, recognizing the game is entertaining to many, posted a list of safety reminders on the township's Facebook page Wednesday. It delivers the message with humor, in hopes that gameplayers will take it to heart.

The message reads:

"Wet Blanket Report: We know that just about everyone is on this Pokemon Go kick and having a great time out there, but it's important to be safe while playing. Having read up on what this entails and various ways people have been hurt, I've come up with a few tips:

1.) Do not trespass on people's private property in order to "catch" a character. My crazy uncle Jim would not be too tolerant of kids trampling over his prized lawn, chasing something he can't see. This will lead to a long conversation about "the youth of America", voting in this election, and drugs that I just can't handle.

2.) Keep an eye on your surroundings. You know those youtube videos where that guy is texting and totally doesn't see a telephone pole right in front of him? Yeah, don't be that guy.

3.) If you do walk into a telephone pole, act as if it was planned. Really sell it.

4.) Be Careful Crossing The Street!!! Seriously, look up from those phones! The last thing we want to see is an accident involving a pedestrian struck while playing this game. (If I get a report of "road pizza," I want to actually see a pizza...in the road.)

5.) Remember to hydrate! The next few days are going to get awful hot, so while you're stalking cuddly little monsters (just guessing what they are at this point), keep a bottle of water on hand and drink it regularly!

6.) If you are a parent, please supervise your children while they are on this scavenger hunt. You know...just in the name of safety.

7.) Please DO NOT Pokemon and Go while Driving!!! No ball of yellow fluff is worth it! It distracts a driver and driving safely is difficult enough.

8.) Lastly, have fun!

We welcome any other safety tips the public has. Feel free to leave them right there in the comments. Oh, and if you have any hints, I'm sure somebody would love to have one. (I heard the Ocean County Library in Downtown TR is a Pokestop...whatever that is).

Related: Read a Patch editor's safety tips for playing Pokemon Go or any other GPS-enabled search game.

Do you have Pokestop tips for Toms River? Add them in the comments below and we'll share them with readers.

Photo courtesy of Eduardo Woo via Flickr