You can make this operation a lot safer by adding an upper table, of sorts. Cut a scrap a little thicker than your strips - so the stock will slide underneath. Then add a small peice to that, such that you lower the blade through it with the saw running. Or, alternatively, a scrap of strip attached directly to the fence, beside the buisness end of the blade. This way, if it does kick, it hopefully wont kick far. You could do the same thing incorporating the fence, by making the height of your auxiliary fence a little over 3/4", and adding a top plate. Whatever you use, that top plate needs to have some beef holding it in place.

With my old Crafstman, the guard was rotatable, and I could move it dowm to just kiss the top of the stock. This works better for dust control, too, as while ripping all the sawdust goes out the guard exit, which was directed into the bin. The DeWalt does not have that feature - the guard is fixed, that's about the only thing I think I miss. Ripping with it, the dust spits in your face. I never use it for that now though, so its no problem.

: Greg- The setup is not as safe as having a table saw, but that is primarily
: because the entire blade of the radial arm saw is exposed above the table.
: I am certainly not an expert on safety (although I do possess all my
: fingers) so if someone wants to respond explaining why my setup is still
: dangerous, I'm open to it.

: To rip strips I simply bought two 8 foot lengths of cheap shelving material
: to use as an infeed and an outfeed. I used two straight 2x4's screwed to
: one side of the infeed/outfeed which made up a 16 foot fence. I screwed
: this right onto the table of the radial arm saw. Then I simply pivoted the
: blade of the saw and set it 1/4" from the fence. Most importantly,
: you need a tight fingerboard clamped to the fence to hold the board down
: on the table as the saw wants to lift it up and make it chatter. With
: another fingerboard holding the board against the fence, and a good
: push-stick, you're all set.
: Hope this helps. -Mike