Spring Safety Tips

Spring time is always a good time to re-evaluate all the "stuff" you've collected and decide what should be kept, repaired, recycled or removed. Special consideration should be given to "e-waste" and hazardous materials in terms of disposal. Such items cannot be thrown in the garbage can anymore. You need to contact your local waste management entity and learn how and where you can dispose of such items. Here are some additional handy tips to consider before you start your Spring cleaning project.

Cleaning Safety
- Household and pool chemicals, paints, and poisons should be properly marked and stored under lock and key, away from children's reach. Dispose of any that are leaking, expired, or that look bad.
- When cleaning up hazardous chemicals wear rubber gloves and follow the safety directions of the packaging. Never mix chemicals in the same container if you don't know how to dispose of them, seek advice from local Hazardous Waste department. 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 away from the house and out of the reach of children and pets. Use only approved containers for gasoline storage.
- Never use gasoline to clean skin, clothes, auto parts, or floors.
- 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 rages, newspaper, 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.

Yard Work Safety
- Limber up. Yard chores may seem easy, but they involve muscles you probably haven't used in a while. Don't overdo it, build up slowly so you don't have strains that can put you out of commission for some time.
- Always wear protective clothing when you handle pesticides and fertilizers.
- Rake your yard before you mow to prevent any stones and loose debris from launching into the air.
- Never operate a mower in your bare feet and avoid wearing lose clothing.
- 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.
- Never leave your mower operational while unattended.
- Don't use electrical mowers on wet grass.
- Wear proper eye protection when operating trimmers, lawn edgers, pruners and power saws.
- When pruning trees, be careful not to let metal ladders or trimmers come into contact with overhead wires.
- Make sure blade guards are in place on all cutting equipment.
- Don't let tools get wet unless they are labeled "immersible".
- Unplug all tools when not in use.
- Make sure tools are in the "off" position before you plug it in.
- Before you do any "hands on" weed removal, make sure you know how to identify poison ivy, sumac, and oak, and similar toxic plants. Find out ahead of time how to treat the rashes they cause to reduce the irritation.
- When using a ladder, check for safe and proper placement. Be aware of any obstructions, overhead wires, electrical, cable, phone and tree branches.
- Anytime you plan to dig (such as putting up a fence or planting trees or shrubs) contact your local utility company(s) at least 48 hours prior to the excavation so they can ensure you won't dig up any utility lines.
- Tall-growing trees should not be planted under power lines. Remember the 20/20 rule: Only shrubs and trees up to 20 feet tall at maturity should be planted within 20 feet of either side of a power line.

Outdoor Safety
- It may look appealing, but don't wander on frozen rivers and lakes. The ice is beginning to thaw and you never know just how thin the ice really is.
- Spring's extra rain and thawing snow an cause normally safe rivers, streams, creeks to turn treacherous. Even standing on banks can be risky as they can be undercut by rushing water and give in under your weight.
- Springtime is also severe weather time. If the skies look threatening, check to see if a storm watch or warning has been issued before you initiate outdoor activities.
- If you are already outside and thunderstorms threaten, go immediately into a building or enclosed vehicle. For tornadoes, go to the nearest safe structure, or the basement or interior first-floor room of your home. If there's no time to follow these precautions, take cover in a ditch or depression in the ground.
- Spring can also bring unusually warm and sunny weather. Be sure you take precautions for your skin by applying an appropriate sun screen (minimum SPF 15).
- Remember to fly kites only in open areas where there are not any power lines, and remind your children, too. Make sure they know to never use metal on a kite, climb a utility pole or enter an electric substation for any reason.


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