Safety

	Common Sense.  Control.  Courtesy.

	Whether you are flying alone or in a busy park, the 3 C's are good 
	words to fly by.  

	Urban parks are increasingly crowded, with many different activities
	competing for access and space.  It is each kite flyer's responsibility
	to fly safely so that we continue to be welcome at our favorite windy
	places.

       	Stunt kites are very light and can fly very fast, in a suitable wind 
	the speed can exceed 100 km/h even 100 miles/h! Any device with 
	such a speed can damage property or injure people. Also the thin line 
	can cut like a knife (especially Kevlar and Spectra lines!).

       	If you get in a dangerous situation release ONE HANDLE and walk 
       	towards your kite. Your lines might be tangled, but usually 
       	your kite will not have harmed the environment or itself.

       	NEVER give a large, hard pulling kite to an inexperienced flyer. 

       	NEVER leave a ready-to-launch kite unattended.

       	NEVER fly near an airport, except with the permission of the air 
	traffic controllers. I have not included the appropriate regulations, 
	because they are different in different countries.  Most American 
	universities -- and I assume other universities -- keep complete 
	copies of Federal Regulations and Laws (all of them).  If you wish 
	to fly near an airport or at a very high altitude, check with your
	local university library or the air traffic controllers.

       	NEVER fly near power lines (or in electrical storms for the 
       	same reason).

	Keep your kites, especially lines and bridles, in good condition;
	this will avoid embarrassing and dangerous situations.

	Pick up your trash, including bits of line and broken spars.

B.  	In the Workshop

	This section lists a few cautions for working with kite materials.
	It is not exhaustive and cannot cover all materials you might use or
	the conditions in which you work.  The intention is to make you aware 
	of some safety and health concerns, but you are responsible for 
	learning about the health hazards of the materials you use.

	Inhaling dust (of any kind) is not good for your lungs.  Wear a
	respirator or dust mask when cutting and sanding spars.  

	Protect your eyes and hands. 

	Fiberglass (dust and fibers) can cause dermititis, but not allergic
	reactions.  Clean up promptly and keep children and pets away from 
	work area.

	Hot cutting ripstop releases noxious fumes.  Work in a well-
	ventilated area.  Make sure that fans or open windows can't blow
	anything onto your hot knife.

	Resins, especially epoxies, may cause allergic reactions.  Some 
	people are immediately hypersensitive to epoxies, others develop a
	reaction over time, and some never have problems.  Avoid getting resin
	on your skin.