Preparing for the 101 Critical Days of summer Published May 23, 2007 By Tech. Sgt. Brian Jones 39th Air Base Wing Public Affairs INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Turkey -- Statistics show that more than 60 percent of all Air Force fatalities, injuries and mishaps occur in the summertime months between Memorial Day and Labor Day. This year, the 101 Critical Days of Summer campaign begins May 25 and ends Sept. 4, and this is the time that all Airmen and family members should take extra precautions. "Summer time brings activity," said Master Sgt. Andrew Jones, 39th Air Base Wing Ground Safety superintendent. "People are outdoors more ... they're having barbecues, drinking alcohol, playing sports, hiking and swimming. It's a perfect time to travel or tour the country on a motorcycle. In general, a majority of people are more active in the summer, but at the same time, they're not always playing it safe." The 101 Critical Days of Summer campaign began in the 1980s to reduce the amount of summer fatalities and mishaps. Last year, during the 101 days, the Air Force experienced 18 fatalities worldwide. The Air Force goal this year is to achieve a 25 percent reduction in industrial, cars and motorcycles, and sports and recreation injuries, and zero fatalities. In 2006, Incirlik had zero fatalities during the 101 days, but suffered three mishaps that resulted in serious injuries, loss of work time and property damage. Gen. Tom Hobbins, United States Air Forces in Europe commander, has established a zero-fatality goal for the summer 2007 campaign, and targeted four specific challenge areas; off-duty private motor vehicle operations, on- and off-duty sports and recreation activities, pedestrian safety, and finally, on-duty industrial safety. "Taking precautions and using your head can save lives," said Sergeant Jones. Although the members of the Wing Safety Office preach safety 365 days a year, summertime is of the utmost importance. Below are several areas to pay special attention to during the summer months. Safety starts at home Sergeant Jones said one of the largest threats to personal safety on base is swimming pools, which he said is the leading cause of child drownings. "It starts getting hot here and families go buy a pool at the BX," he said. "That's fine, but these pools should be fenced in and drained when not in use." An adult should be present at all times when the pool is in use. "You not only have to watch out for your own families, but your neighbors as well. If a pool is in an open area it's hard to watch who's using it," he added. "A toddler can escape the grasps of the most watchful parent." There have been no drowning incidents at Incirlik and Sergeant Jones said using these precautions will continue that trend. A favorite summer pastime is also a safety threat on base -- barbecuing. In 2002, gas and charcoal grills caused 900 structure fires and 3,500 outdoor fires in or on home properties in the United States, according to the National Fire Protection Association's Web site. But fire is preventable, Sergeant Jones said, and offered several tips for a safe barbecue: check for leaks or breaks in gas lines, don't put combustibles too close to heat, don't leave your barbecue unattended, and keep children and pets away from the grill. "... And keep the grills at least 10 feet from the house and away from rooftops," he added. Don't forget your Wingman Many times, barbecuing goes hand-in-hand with drinking alcohol, which also contributes to summertime incidents in the Air Force. The Air Force's Project Wingman program originally began to help curb alcohol-related incidents. Since, it has grown into a program that covers not only drinking, but also nearly every activity imaginable. Airmen should find a trustful someone to partner with in summer activities ... and use some common sense. "It's simply personal risk management with a little common sense. Just ask yourself is this the smartest thing to do," said Sergeant Jones. "While your wingman is there to help out, ultimately you have to hold yourself accountable, especially with alcohol. Alcohol just doesn't mix with outdoor activities like hiking, bike riding and swimming." Travel Tips Summer safety should also be considered when traveling, and again, common sense plays a factor. Thunderstorms are common during the summer here. Driving in the rain can be treacherous because of pot holes that are not visible when filled with standing water and the possibility of hydroplaning on wet roads. Slowing down and planning extra time to make a trip during wet weather can help ensure a safe arrival at your destination. "A short trip where you're in a rush can turn into a tragedy with just a couple of inches of water," said Master Sgt. Darnell Edmonds, 39th Air Base Wing ground safety manager. For Airmen and their families, safe travel begins before ever hitting the road by ensuring vehicles are properly prepared for travel. "It's important that tires are in good condition, as well as the car's windshield wipers. Working wipers will ensure you have a direct line of sight," said Sergeant Edmonds. Proper planning also includes mapping out your trip, letting others know of your route and traveling with a safety kit that includes such items as a flashlight, jumper cables, a digital camera, a cell phone and a first aid kit. Ensuring drivers have adequate rest is also critical to arriving travel destinations safely. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, drowsy driving causes more than 100,000 crashes a year, resulting in 40,000 injuries and 1,550 deaths. NHTSA recommends the following tips to avoid drowsy driving mishaps: rotate driving shifts if more than one driver is available; take regular breaks while driving (at least every two hours); limit driving at night (midnight to 6 a.m. is the riskiest time); and get a good night's sleep before hitting the road. Another critical travel safety consideration involves making sure all occupants are wearing seatbelts and children are secure in child safety seats. It doesn't matter how well equipped a vehicle is if the passengers don't buckle up. "Just because you have a vehicle with air bags and side-curtain airbags doesn't mean you don't have to wear your seatbelt," said Sergeant Edmonds. "Air bags alone aren't going to protect you. Air bags come out with a lot of force and they are not as soft as a pillow, but they are softer than the steering wheel or the windshield. Seat belts are to be used in conjunction with air bags." More Americans between the ages of one and 34 die as a result of a traffic accident than from any other cause, or any other mode of transportation. "It should be automatic," said Sergeant Edmonds. "It should be to the point where you don't put the key in the ignition until you've buckled your seat belt." Even the most seasoned drivers can be hurt or killed in motor vehicle accidents, sometimes through no fault of their own. "You may have been driving for years and have a lot of confidence in your driving abilities," said Sergeant Edmonds. "But how much confidence do you have in all the other drivers." While adhering to sound safety practices is a year-round responsibility, paying attention to summer safety tips can go a long way to ensuring you don't become a 101 Critical Days of Summer statistic. (Lori Burling-Alves contributed to this story) Travel Checklist Ensure vehicles are properly serviced and ready for travel Map your route Inform others of your travel plans to include departure and arrival times Carry an emergency kit Wear seat belts Familiarize yourself with local customs and laws Don't call undue attention to yourself/dress conservatively Get to know key Turkish phrases Travel in groups Ensure you are familiar with the area to include the locations of police stations and hospitals Minimize travel at night Check ATFP directives for travel restrictions Review local area travel brief on the Source Carry a cell phone with programmed emergency numbers