GRAND FORKS AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- After another long North Dakota winter the snow is melting and you can once again see the ground. Before long, the grass will start growing and lawnmowers, rakes, and edgers will once again take the place of snow shovels and snow blowers. Along with the melt will come the chance to relocate all those items that didn't get put away before the snow covered them up last fall.

You may also notice new objects that have been migrating onto your lawn with each pass of the snow blower. Rocks, wood, and other debris will show through and although not that menacing right now, they will become dangerous when struck by the blades of your lawn mower.

Cleaning up around your yard and around your place of work will improve safety across the base and limit the amount of damage caused by projectiles thrown by lawn mowers. This is especially true if your workplace happens to have the tan rocks used to accentuate garden areas around the base. These rocks are extremely hard to see, even if you're not operating a riding mower, they blend in and can be mistaken for leaves or pieces of wood.

Let's make this spring safe from injuries and property damage by policing up our yards and work areas.