“101 CRITICAL DAYS OF SUMMER”

The United States Air Force “101 Critical Days of Summer” campaign ends this Labor Day weekend. These last days are the most dangerous on our nation’s highways and by-ways. With the weekend trip to the lake or that long over due leave to see the family, your exposure to danger increases. Risk management principles must be applied when planning your excursions. Don’t wait till the last minute to get ready for the trip. If it’s a long distance, make sure you have a good night’s sleep and have a hearty meal to start your day. Plan you rest stops, even if it’s for gas and a coke. Limit yourself to two or three hour legs. Get out of the car and walk around just enough to relieve the stress of driving. If you have another driver, change every couple of hours. Speaking of hours behind the wheel; think 8 hours as the maximum to be on the road. Just like your duty day, it’s long enough. Don’t push it. Most mishaps (accidents) occur near the end of the trip then at the start. You’ve hear it before and I’ll repeat it again and again, “DON”T DRINK AND DRIVE” and wear your SEATBELT at all times. Make sure that all your passengers are belted in as well; and don’t forget the young ones. Are they in a proper child restraint device? Has the device been properly installed? Risk analysis good people, it applies to every situation, everyday. Let’s not forget our recreational activities. Sporting events such as tennis, softball, swimming, water skiing, fishing, etc., are all activities that require some risk analysis or management if you will. Are you in the proper physical condition for the activity? Are you experienced in that activity? Does the activity require warm-up before partaking? Do you perform the proper warm-up and the cool down for the sport? Do you have plenty to drink, water that is, not the other stuff? How about that sun screen not only for you but the wife and kids? Think about it before you act. Take the time to consider all the risks involved in an activity and then decide if it’s really worth doing. Don’t be influenced by your peers. Use common sense and you’ll come out ahead every time. Have a great and SAFE weekend.

Borrowed from Columbus AFB's Contracting SQ Safety Advisor