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Paintballing has become one of the hottest sports of the early 21st century, with paintball gear suppliers discovering an explosion in the market. The beauty of paintballing is that just about anyone can play, from relatively small children, to adults of all ages. While the equipment must be purchased initially, after that initial expense, paintballing is relatively inexpensive, with the only subsequent purchases being more paintballs and occasional upkeep of the gun. Paintball games can be played in many types of areas, as long as they are free of other people or obstacles that can't be assaulted with paint; open fields, woodland areas, marshes, hills, or any natural setting. The only "catch" to paintballing is the potential safety hazard. If proper precautions are taken, very little harm can be done, but if safety procedures are not followed, paintballing can be dangerous and even deadly. For proper paintball safety, observe the following tips.

1. The paintball gun and canister should regularly be checked for integrity. Make sure all parts are stable and in tact. Always clean the gun properly before and after using so it will be in its best working condition.

2. Use all the necessary safety gear when playing paintball. This includes a full helmet that covers all but the back of the head and a facemask. The facemask is of utmost importance, as it will protect the eyes and other facial extremities from harm. Many a paintball player has lost an eye from neglecting to wear a facemask or from taking the mask off during a game. Keep the gear on until the game is over and everyone is accounted for.

3. At each paintballing session, give all players, especially beginners, a short lesson in paintball etiquette. This includes (but is not limited to) limits on close-range firing, rules about shooting those who are clearly "out," clarity on where the boundaries are, and what to do in the event that someone gets hurt.

4. Although paintball can be played nearly anywhere, the area should be checked in advance for safety and control. Do not simply go out into the woods to a random place where no one has ever played. This could be dangerous for several reasons; the area may be owned by someone who doesn't allow paintball play, there may be unsafe geological issues such as sink holes or other such safety hazards, and there may be wild animals or just areas of broken glass. Always inspect the area fully before playing and make sure you have permission to play there.

5. Every paintball playing session should have a person who is the unofficial leader. This person will make sure everyone is accounted for at the end of play, and will relay the rules and parameters of the game. One of the most important things the leader should make clear to everyone is a "game stop" signal. Everyone must know that the whistle or air horn or hand signal or whatever else you choose, will indicate that the game is over and all firing must end. This will ensure that masks and helmets can safely be taken off until the next game begins.