Spring has sprung, as the spring equinox occurred at 5:01 a.m. Thursday.

That means the number of hours of daylight will finally overtake the number of hours of darkness each day, until we reach the longest day of the year on the summer solstice, which arrives on June 20. And while the longer days and shorter nights may lift our spirits and provide us with additional opportunities to do thongs outdoors, spring also brings its own challenges and dangers.

One of those spring threats is severe weather. As the warm weather of the approaching summer and the cool air of the departing winter collide in the atmosphere, the potential for thunderstorms, heavy rain, hail, strong winds and even tornadoes increases. We have already seen evidence of this in the southern United States, where a late winter blast killed more than 40 people.

Fire is another danger that increases during the spring. Dry vegetation left behind after the winter thaw combined with spring winds can be a recipe for fires to quickly burn out of control, threatening people and their property.

In Ohio, most open burning is prohibited between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. in March, April and May. Some municipalities have further restrictions. Be sure you know the law and take the proper precautions before igniting a blaze.

Finally, if you didn’t check your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors when we entered daylight saving time, do it today. Ensuring your home has adequate, working detectors could save you and your family.