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Summer safety tips

  • Published
  • By Maj. Ellen Weaver
  • 305th Aerial Port Squadron
MCGUIRE AFB, N.J. --  We are entering the 101 Critical Days of Summer once again and it is appropriate to remind all Airmen that there are increased dangers during this time. An increase in safety incidents is seen at this time for many reasons. One is that there are many family vacations planned during the summer when school is out. People are likely to travel via car for longer distances without rest or break. The warmer weather is ideal for many activities with risks. Water activities such as boating, skiing, swimming, jet skiing, parasailing, etc., are increased. Other outdoor events such as cook outs and lawn care present their own challenges with grill safety and proper use of lawn mowers and weed eaters. The warm weather brings out motorcycle riders in droves, and home repairs and improvement are often done during the summer. Extreme sports such as skydiving and bungee jumping are more popular in summer. Alcohol is often involved in many summertime activities and can contribute to safety incidents. 

The number one killer during the 101 Critical Days of Summer is traffic fatalities. There are many steps you can take to reduce risk in this area. Be sure to get plenty of rest and plan for breaks during any road trip. Many accidents happen due to fatigue or driving in nighttime or bad weather conditions. Always wear your seatbelt to reduce risk of injury and monitor your speed. Drinking and driving should be avoided 100 percent of the time. Road rage and cell phone use are contributors to vehicle incidents as well and should be avoided. Finally, reducing distractions and proper maintenance of your vehicle are very important. 

Another big issue during the 101 Critical Days of Summer is motorcycle riding. Motorcycle fatalities have been on the rise over the past two years in the DoD. In fact, there were 261 traffic-accident fatalities in the DoD throughout 2006 and 94 of those involved motorcycle riders. While motorcycling is an economical means of commuting, several items should be kept in mind. Always wear a helmet that includes eye protection. Proper personal protective equipment should be worn as well. Before riding a motorcycle, ensure you have had proper training in order to know how to control the bike. This course is required for all active duty riders. Also, while that sport bike may be flashy, it may be too much to handle for an inexperienced rider, so do some research and get one that matches your riding abilities. Make sure your headlights work and are on all day to make you more visible to other drivers on the road. 

A final issue I will cover is water safety. Swimming and boating are popular summer activities and lots of fun. However, there are many safety matters to take into account. Ensure you maintain your boat properly and always check the weather before you embark. Ensure all your passengers wear life jackets and the boat is not filled over its capacity. Follow established boating standards while navigating and become familiar with the area you'll be in. Swimming should be done in areas with lifeguards. Diving should be undertaken with caution, especially in unfamiliar areas due to the chance of sustaining head injuries. Don't swim immediately after eating and don't swim while consuming alcohol. Always use the buddy system while you are swimming/diving. If you have a backyard pool, ensure you have a safety gate and fence to keep small children out. No matter what activity you undertake this summer, ensure you keep safety in mind.