Knowing safety ABCs earns free food

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Rochelle Clace
  • 19th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
LITTLE ROCK AIR FORCE BASE, Ark. --  The 19th Airlift Wing Safety Office's Operation Always Be Careful continues in conjunction with the 101 Critical Days of Summer, which runs through Labor Day weekend.

Ground safety personnel will visit base housing and other public areas looking out for people who wear helmets while riding bicycles, skateboards and scooters; skaters wearing knee, elbow and wrist pads at the skate park; and housing residents wearing
long pants, sturdy shoes and protective eyewear while performing yard work. These who show safety sense will be rewarded with coupons for free drinks, fries or burgers at the base Burger King. 

The purpose of the program is to encourage people to continue being safe in the home environment as servicemembers are on a day-to-day basis when on duty. 

"Through Operation ABC, we hope to foster a more positive attitude toward safety and encourage everyone to think through their activities in order to prevent injuries," said Tech. Sgt. Christine McGinley, 19th AW ground safety craftsman. 

"We will be checking out people who use safety as part of their daily activities and rewarding those who wear the proper equipment for more hazardous activities," said Sergeant McGinley. 

Safety has used similar incentive programs in the past that have had a positive outcome for everyone involved. 

"This has been a successful program for us and we're doing it again because it worked so well," said Sergeant McGinley. "Anything we can do to prevent anyone from getting hurt improves Combat Airlift." 

The Safety Office will also introduce other programs throughout the 101 Critical Days of Summer, such as the "Alive at 25" Defensive Driving Course scheduled for July 6, August 3 and September 7. 

The safety office's summer goal is to create and maintain a culture of safety and off duty
and eliminate all preventable safety mishaps. 

Sergeant McGinley said the Air Force has a great track record compared to civilian industrial safety, but Airmen need to continue that track record at home and encourage their families to think safety also. 

"We have to be ready 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and if we're walking into work with a sprained ankle or worrying about the family member that got in the car wreck, we aren't living or working up to our capability," she said. 

For more details, call the Safety Office at 987-8834.