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Airmen take care of Airmen during safety campaign

  • Published
  • By By Master Sgt. Dawn Hart
  • 96th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  Summer is the time of year when children get out of school and families hit the road for that long-awaited vacation, or just get together for a day at the beach. It’s also the time of year when more accidents typically happen.

The 101 Critical Days of Summer officially runs from May 26 through Sept. 5. This year’s theme is “Airmen taking care of Airmen,” tying into the overall Air Force Materiel Command wingman theme.

“Whether summer activities involve sports, driving, hiking, climbing or a variety of other pursuits, each member should be aware of what their co-workers and friends have planned and step in if it appears proper safety precautions are lacking,” said Lt. Col. Kevin Sluss, Air Armament Center chief of safety.

Although accidents have been on the decline over the past several years at Eglin, one is still too many. The Air Force experienced 83 fatalities in fiscal year 2003, 84 in 2004 and 66 in 2005.

Safety officials ask that everyone take a few extra minutes and take time to recognize the risks that accompany both on- and off-duty activities. Doing so, may reduce or eliminate the risks entirely.

The following are safety tips from the National Safety Council:

> Never let children swim unsupervised. 

> Drowning isn’t the only danger — there’s lightning. If you see storm clouds or hear thunder, get out of the water immediately to avoid electrocution. 

> Never consume alcohol when operating a boat or swimming. 

> Always use approved personal flotation devices. 

> Don’t underestimate the power of water. Even if it looks calm, it can have undertows or rip tides. 

> Wear safety belts properly — never put the shoulder belt under arm or behind head. 

> Air bags are not a substitute for safety belts — they’re designed to offer extra protection, along with lap and shoulder belts. 

> Children should remain in a safety seat with full harness as long as possible, at least until they reach 40 pounds. 

> Don’t drink and drive — alcohol is a factor in more than 40 percent of all motor vehicle fatalities. 

> An average of one person every two minutes is injured in an alcohol-related crash in the United States. 

> Focus on driving and reduce your risk — the National Highway Traffic Safety 

> Administration estimates that 25 percent of all crashes involve some kind of driver distraction. 

> Learn to recognize aggressive driving behavior in yourself and others: speeding, tailgating, making sudden and frequent lane changes, failing to yield right of way, ignoring traffic signals. These behaviors cause more than 50 percent of all crashes.