Better safe than sorry: tips to keep safe this season

  • Published
  • By Mr. Bill Morrow
  • 501st Combat Support Wing Safety
RAF ALCONBURY, United Kingdom --  The air is warming, the snow is melting and the trees are budding. This means it's time for spring cleaning, yard work, home repairs, and new exercise regimens, all of which can present a variety of health and safety hazards.

With warmer weather and longer days, people are emerging from their winter cocoons to focus on long-neglected projects like spring cleaning, home repairs, and yard work. Many are also lacing up their shoes for their first outdoor walk or jog of the season.

These activities can be extremely beneficial, but they also involve a variety of health and safety hazards that can be avoided with the proper precautions.

Nature is undergoing a fresh start and we are ready to clean up the debris that has accumulated in basements, storage sheds and garages over the winter. One on-going theme will be children and pets; keep them and those things that may be dangerous to them as far from each other as possible.

With that in mind, here are a few general purpose tips to keep in mind this spring as you're doing your bit around the house and work place. These suggestions aren't all inclusive, but they are a good place to start your projects off safely:

· Household chemicals, paints, and poisons should be properly marked and stored under lock and key. Dispose of any that are leaking, expired, or that look bad.
· When cleaning up hazardous chemicals wear rubber gloves and follow the safety direction on the packaging. Never mix chemicals in the same container. If you don't' know how to dispose of them, seek outside advice. Never put them into the trash or pour down the drain.
· Make sure gasoline and cleaning fluids are well marked and stored in a cool, dry place. Use only approved containers for gasoline storage.
· Never use gasoline to clean skin, clothes, auto parts, or floors.
· Clean up work areas. Put dangerous tools, adhesives, matches, or other items away.
· Check your barbecue grill for leaks and cracks, and be sure to store any propane tanks away from your house and garage.
· Remove all fire hazards, including stacks of rags, newspapers, and magazines. Pay special attention to the spaces around your furnace, hot water tank, fireplace, space heaters, and dryer, as well as under the stairs.

Itching to get the yard into shape for the summer? Here are ways to help ensure your spring spruce-up is disaster-free:

· Limber up! This isn't exactly the new PT program but it can be hard work. Yard chores may seem easy, but they involve muscles you probably haven't used in a while. A muscle pull or strain can come on quite easily.
· Always wear protective clothing when you handle pesticides and fertilizers.
· Lots of people seek treatment in emergency rooms each year for lawn-mower injuries. 
     o Rake before you mow to prevent any stones and loose debris from launching into the air.
     o Never operate a mower in your bare feet and avoid wearing loose clothing.
     o Never start a mower indoors.
     o When refueling your mower, make sure the engine is off and cool. Don't spill gasoline on a hot engine -- and don't smoke while pouring gasoline. 
     o Never leave your mower operational while unattended.
     o Don't use electrical mowers on wet grass.

· And it isn't just the lawn mower; many people each year sustain injuries from trimmers, lawn edgers, pruners and power saws.
     o Read the manufacturer's instructions carefully before using the tools.
     o Inspect the product for damage and don't use it if there are problems.
     o Use proper eye protection. 
     o Make sure blade guards are in place on all cutting equipment.
     o Don't let tools get wet unless they are labeled "immersible."
     o Unplug all tools when not in use.
     o Make sure the tool is in the "off" position before you plug it in.
     o Store gasoline-powered equipment away from anything that uses a pilot light. 
     o Make sure you use the right saw for the task, and always wait for the saw blade to stop before pulling away from a cut to avoid kickback.

· When pruning trees, be careful not to let metal ladders or trimmers contact overhead wires; you could be in for a shock.
· This may not be a problem where you live, but best to be prepared. Before you do any "hands on" weed removal, make sure you know how to identify poison ivy, sumac, oak and similar toxic plants. Find out ahead of time how to treat the rashes they cause to reduce the irritation.

There's certainly more you can add to these list of precautions; but for me I'm going to set up the hammock.