Remember safety during the Critical Days of Summer

  • Published
  • By James Yowell
  • 314th Airlift Wing ground safety manager
LITTLE ROCK AIR FORCE BASE, Ark. --  With summer just around the corner, it's the time of the year when many Airmen will be going on vacation, playing sports and enjoying the great outdoors.

It's also the time for the Critical Days of Summer safety campaign - Memorial Day weekend, May 30th, through Labor Day weekend, Sept. 5th. Airmen, families and friends deserve this time to enjoy the summer, but along with the good times come additional responsibilities to prevent needless mishaps. A little personal risk management will go a long way in making the summer more fun and safer, too.

If driving, plan trips to avoid driving too far or too fast. Take breaks every two hours and plan to not spend longer than 10 hours a day on the road while including time for breaks and eating. Check the vehicle's tires, lights, brakes, fluid levels and mechanical condition to make sure it is safe for the trip. Also, always remember to wear a seat belt.

When enjoying the great outdoors, remember to use sun block or sunscreen to prevent painful sunburns. When selecting a sun block or sunscreen, choose one that has a high Sun Protection Factor. For example, a sunscreen with SPF 15 offers 15 times more protection than bare skin and filters 92 percent of sun's harmful UVB rays. In simpler terms, a sunscreen with SPF 15 will delay the onset of sunburn in a person who would otherwise burn in 10 minutes to burn in 150 minutes. The long term effects of overexposure to the sun can cause permanent damage to your skin or even skin cancer.

The best thing anyone can do to stay safe in and around the water is to learn to swim. Even if a person is a good swimmer, they should always swim with a buddy. Never swim alone. Swim in areas supervised by a lifeguard while obeying all rules and posted signs. Pay attention to local weather conditions and stop swimming at the first indication of bad weather. Children or inexperienced swimmers should take extra precautions such as wearing U.S. Coast Guard-approved personal flotation devices when around the water. If planning on boating, jet skiing or water skiing, know the laws and rules of the waterways. A good place to start is the the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission web site at www.agfc.com. There, information can be found on boating regulations and boater's educational requirements. Always wear a properly fitted, U.S. Coast Guard-approved, personal flotation device when on the water.

When doing lawn care, make sure to read the owner's manual for any equipment, such as mowers, trimmers and pressure washers you plan to use. Play close attention to all safety precautions and personal protective equipment recommended by the manufacturer and then follow their recommendations.

Alcohol is a contributing factor in a large number of summertime mishaps. Drink responsibly and avoid alcohol if driving, playing sports, swimming or boating. It will only increase the potential for injury or death. If driving or boating, alcohol consumption is illegal and can result in heavy fines or jail time.

Bottom line - most mishaps are preventable, and everyone must do their part in reducing or eliminating preventable mishaps. Save family and friends a lifetime of suffering and grief by doing one's part to be safe this summer. The nation, friends and family are depending on it.