Summer fun means extra risk Published May 24, 2012 By Lt. Col. David Brickley Joint Base safety chief JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. -- Beaches, lakes, parks, bike trails, sports fields. Summertime brings the opportunity for a lot of fun activities and visits to recreational areas we might not get to visit as much as we would like. Every activity has some measure of risk. More people have more time off and are engaging in more activities during the Critical Days of Summer, which is why we see the number of mishaps and injuries go up during that time. Summer should be a fun time to take a much needed break to recharge and spend time with family or friends and it is. But everyone needs to make sure to take all sensible precautions so it's a safe break and you return home the way you left - healthy and in one piece! Most of the fun activities we engage in during this time involve traveling. Whether driving, flying or taking the train, there are common-sense things you can do to ensure a safe trip. Plan ahead; always have a back-up plan for routes, modes of transportation, lodging, etc. And never, never mix alcohol with any type of travel. We will offer specific tips in these pages as we go through the Critical Days of Summer on making this a safe and enjoyable time to catch up, unwind, and have some fun. It comes down to everyone taking care of themselves and looking out for family and friends. That's why this year's theme is so appropriate - "Safety - It's personal."