Air Force, Edwards enter Critical Days of Summer

  • Published
  • By Alan Lederman
  • Air Force Flight Test Center Ground Safety Office
EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  It's that time of year again. Summer is right around the corner and that can only mean one thing, the "Critical Days of Summer" safety campaign is ready to begin.

This year's campaign will kick off May 24 at the Oasis Community Center.

Most people would like to think that nothing could ever happen to them, but the fact is, statistics show otherwise. The period between Memorial Day weekend and Labor Day weekend is typically when the Air Force sees a big spike in mishaps.

We frequently hear news reports of mishaps but, it often seems we are desensitized to what really leads to mishaps until it happens to us. When a mishap hits close to home, we realize how truly precious and delicate our lives are.

Summer is a time when people get outside and enjoy off-duty activities and more people travel. Unfortunately, it is also a time when more mishaps can occur if we are not careful. Motor vehicle mishaps remain the number one cause of off-duty military deaths despite broad safety awareness efforts.

This year's campaign is not just another rehash of what you have heard your entire careers. We want you to assess the risks associated with the actions you are going to take and use proactive measures. Some of the steps you can take to prepare before participating in summer activities are: use proper personal protective equipment; get plenty of rest; and use alcohol in a responsible manner. If you follow these steps, you will have a good time and get back to your units safely.

You must make the right decision when the critical moments occur. Think about a scenario and then decide whether you have done everything you could to eliminate or at least minimize risk. If you cannot live with the consequences of the scenario then chances are it is time for a new plan of action. The choice is yours. Safety is an individual responsibility. It is up to each one of us to manage and mitigate risk in all we do.

You might be thinking, "Isn't safety supposed to always be critical?" Yes, but during these critical days of summer it is statistically the time when the most preventable mishaps take place. We are more active and partake in more high-risk activities.

This campaign is just an attempt to refocus on safety during a time of increased activity by AF members. We must continue promoting safety to reduce the number of mishaps during the summer vacation season. The goal is zero preventable ground mishaps.