Spring is in the air! Published March 19, 2025 By Lisa Gonzales Air Force Safety Center KIRTLAND AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. -- As the weather starts to warm, trees begin to bud, flowers begin to bloom, and bees buzzing is a sure sign that spring has sprung. With the warmer weather many outdoor enthusiasts will be heading outside to explore but remember mother nature can be unpredictable, and natural disasters or other spring hazards can happen quickly. Spring is the perfect time to make an emergency plan or review the one you have with your family members. Make sure you plan ahead and prepare for whatever task you’re tackling. Protecting yourself and using good risk management on- and off-duty. Every Airman or Guardian we lose to an off-duty activity hurts our mission, our force, and affects their family forever. Such losses severely impact operational readiness. As a warfighter, being mission ready means being ready at a moment’s notice. You can’t be ready at a moment’s notice if you injure yourself riding a motorcycle or working on home improvement projects. Whether spring cleaning or getting to those DIY projects put off for warmer weather done, or heading out to explore mother nature be proactive and make checklists of all the tools or gear you will need to get it done safely. You Home For many, the ritual of spring cleaning is a way to welcome the warm spring weather but remember to do it safely and never mix cleaning supplies as the results could be deadly. When cleaning, leave plenty of windows open, run a fan or ensure there is plenty of ventilation. Some cleaning supplies can create strong fumes and when mixed they can form toxic gases that can cause respiratory distress, create an explosion, or even death. Spring is also a great time to check the batteries in your fire and carbon monoxide alarms to make sure they are functioning properly. Consider building a checklist to help you organize projects and supplies. Being proactive and having a plan in place can help to eliminate injuries. Home improvement DIY’s can be tricky. Before starting, take a quick refresher course at your local hardware store or community college to make sure you have all the necessary tools to complete the project safely. Goggles, gloves, pants, long sleeve shirts and closed toe shoes should be on your list of supplies Working in your yard or garden, pruning branches or weeding without these simple tools can lead to scratches, bruises or cuts. Remember to think of what supplies you will need before you start. The Outdoors Heading outside to start your DIY project or hitting your favorite trails for some much-needed exercise? Remember hydration is the key in keeping your body healthy. Water helps the heart pump blood more easily through your body and helps your muscles work efficiently. You can become dehydrated even in cooler weather, so take breaks often and out of the sun. To avoid a sunburn, wear a hat, long sleeve shirt, sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher, and also consider sunglasses. Did you know the sun’s ultraviolet rays can contribute to cataracts? According to the National Eye Institute a new study firms up a link between the sun’s damaging UV rays and a process called oxidative stress. In other words, UV light can substitute for oxygen to trigger harmful oxidative reactions in the lenses of your eyes. So don’t just protect your skin but also your eyes by wearing sunglasses with UVA and UVB protection. For some, the anticipation of being outside in nature is the best part of spring. As the days get longer and the weather warmer, enjoying nature is good for the soul. However, Mother Nature can be fickle and change without warning. Be prepared for unexpected rain or snowstorms by having a plan in place and the equipment needed for any situation. Take extra jackets, food, water, and an emergency first-aid kit. Your Drive Frequent rainstorms can make spring driving just as dangerous as winter. Heavy, wind-swept rain can significantly reduce visibility and flood roads in a matter of minutes. Be prepared by checking the weather before you head out the door and verify your windshield wipers are working correctly. Even though the snow and ice are gone, another hazard on the roads are potholes that can be just as dangerous when it rains because they fill with water and are hard to detect. If your vehicle hits one, it can cause severe damage like punctured tires, bent rims or suspension damage that could lead to a traffic accident. Slow down in a controlled manner to reduce the impact if you see a pothole. Don’t swerve to avoid it as you can cause a traffic accident. The glare of the sun and a dirty windshield makes it more difficult to see while driving. A dirty windshield scatters the light so make sure they are clean and that you wear polarized sunglasses to shield your eyes from the blinding sun. Also watch for other drivers, motorcyclist, bicyclists or pedestrians, especially near intersections or driving through neighborhoods as children could be out enjoying the spring weather. “As you prepare for spring weather, I want you to continue to use risk management in all your activities and watch out for each other.” said William “Bill” Walkowiak, chief of occupational safety for the Department of the Air Force. “Keep each other safe as you venture out exploring nature or working those home DIY projects.” For more information on Spring Safety: https://www.safety.af.mil/Divisions/Occupational-Safety-Division/Spring-Safety/