Enjoy Autumn by being safe Published Dec. 3, 2007 By Maj. Theodore Anderson 39th Air Base Wing Safety Officer INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Turkey -- How do we love autumn? Let us count the ways. The break from summer's heat and humidity, the brilliant reds, golds and oranges of fall leaves, the taste of hot pumpkin pie and apple cider and the start of the football season. Along with these simple pleasures associated with fall, we should all review seasonal safety topics like safe fall driving, preparing our homes for cooler weather and prevention of fall sport injuries. During your morning and afternoon commutes, be on the lookout for school buses and remember that drivers must stop for any bus that is loading or unloading passengers. Be aware of school zones and follow posted speed limits. Fall is a good time to really look around your home and take care of those maintenance problems which could cause a slip or fall. Be sure outdoor lighting is adequate, test smoke alarms and check cords on all electrical equipment for cracks or damage. While participating in fall sports activities wear appropriate safety gear, warm up and remember to stretch before playing. Inspect all playing surfaces; make sure the area is free of holes and debris. No matter what sport you participate in, always focus 100 percent of your attention on the activity and the terrain you are on. As the temperature makes hiking more bearable, keep in mind local attractions such as castles and ruins have none of the safety measures you might find at similar attractions in the states. While it might seem like more fun, this means it's a lot easier to put yourself and wingmen in grave danger while hiking. Finally, don't forget to rest. We spend so much of our on-duty time planning for weekends and vacations we often forget to plan for taking it easy as well. Be sure to build in rest breaks while driving and get adequate sleep before engaging in any activities. With these simple tips in mind you can have a fun and safe fall season.