HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. -- The summer solstice on June 20 marked the official start of summer, a time for outdoor activities.
It is also a time when injuries become more common, which is why safety should remain a priority.
“Safety isn’t the first thing that comes to people’s minds during summer activities,” said Senior Airman Cordell Reed, 66th Air Base Group safety specialist. “But it should be.”
The Air Force Safety Center designates the period between Memorial Day and Labor Day as the “101 Critical Days of Summer” and has published a variety of tips to help people stay safe during off-duty activities.
Airmen and their families are encouraged to stay hydrated, check the expiration date on their bottle of sunscreen, and to always refrain from using gasoline to light a grill.
While these tips might seem obvious to some, the Air Force Safety Center reported that 11 Airmen and Guardians lost their lives last year to preventable incidents while off duty.
This five-step risk management process will help you stay safe this summer:
- Identify the hazard
- Assess the hazard
- Develop controls
- Implement controls
- Supervise and evaluate
To stay safe on the roads this summer, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration offers the following reminders:
- Make sure the vehicles tires are properly inflated
- Have a first aid kit and a flashlight
- Bring a cell phone and charger
- Carry a tire iron and jack
- Keep jumper cables in the car
For more information on potential risks this summer visit the Air Force Safety Center’s website.