Warmer weather means more activity outdoors

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Mark Wyatt
  • 157th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
With spring fast approaching, more people will be outside to run and ride their bicycles, skateboards and motorcycles. As a reminder to everyone, the Safety Office encourages the use of proper protective equipment and to perform these activities safely.

While jogging, use paths and sidewalks. If no sidewalks are available, personnel are encouraged to run against the traffic flow.

Safety staff also reminds personnel to wear reflective apparel or a reflective belt or vest during low light conditions or during inclement weather.

With warmer weather also come motorcycle riders.

All motorcycle operators and passengers who ride on the installation must wear a helmet, eye protection, over the ankle shoes or boots, pants and a long sleeved upper garment. The upper garment must be highly visible during the day and retro-reflective at night.

Motorcycle training is required for all military and civilian personnel to ride on any military installation. It is highly encouraged that military personnel carry a copy of their motorcycle training cards with them as proof of training during random motorcycle checks. Dependents and contractors are exempt but still must wear a helmet.

All bicyclists and their passengers, scooter riders, skateboarders, roller bladers and roller skaters must wear a properly fitted helmet with a secure head strap fastened while on base. Approved helmets are those that meet the American National Standards Institute or Snell Memorial Foundation standards. The use of additional safety equipment is optional; however, everyone is encouraged to follow equipment manufacturer recommendations.

It is also important to remember that besides hearing aids, the use of portable headphones, earphones, cellular phones, iPods or other listening and entertainment devices, including those with single ear-pieces or non-ear-bud external speakers, while walking, jogging, running, bicycling, skating or skateboarding on roadways is prohibited for the sake of ensuring good situational awareness. These devices can also impede the hearing of emergency signals, alarms, announcements, approaching vehicles and verbal warnings. It is highly recommended they not be used on jogging paths or outdoor tracks, as well.

For more information, contact the Safety Office at 603-430-2345.