Common sense key to safety
by Staff Sgt. Melanie Streeter
Air Force Print News
5/25/2004 - WASHINGTON -- Air Force officials want Airmen to use common sense and not fall victim to accidents during the “101 Critical Days of Summer.”
These 101 days fall between Memorial Day and Labor Day. This is the time period when the Air Force sees a rise in off-duty injuries caused by increased activity and risk taking, said officials from the Air Force Safety Center at Kirtland Air Force Base, N.M.
“Historically, this is a period of high risk, because people are doing more,” said Herm Dean, the center’s chief of ground safety operations. “People are outside traveling, swimming, camping -- doing the things they’ve wanted to do all winter.”
Unfortunately, Airmen are not always prepared to charge into summer activities. The safety campaign aims at drawing attention to safety awareness and risk management, especially on the road.
An average of 25 Airmen died during the summer months over the past five years, safety officials said. Most of these losses occurred in personal motor vehicle accidents, including motorcycles. These accidents are largely preventable.
“Know your limits and use personal-risk management,” Mr. Dean said. “Don’t try to drive 10 to 12 hours a day. Plan your trips. Don’t take unnecessary risks.”
Mr. Dean also offered other advice while traveling this summer:
-- Wear seatbelts.
-- Remain alert while at the wheel, and plan breaks at frequent intervals.
-- Do not speed to arrive early. It is better to arrive late than not arrive at all.
-- Do not drink alcohol and drive.
-- Anticipate the unexpected and be ready to react.
He suggests using a simple three-step process -- A-C-T.
“Assess the risk; consider your options; take appropriate action,” Mr. Dean said. “It’s easy, like crossing the street. You would never cross without looking left and right first.
“If what you’re about to do is dumb, different or dangerous, then maybe it’s too risky and you shouldn’t be doing it,” he said. |
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