JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO, Texas –
The long Labor Day weekend marks the traditional end of summer and offers many Joint Base San Antonio service members, civilians and their families the final opportunity to take to the highways and byways for a summertime adventure.
It also marks the conclusion of the Air Force Summer Safety Campaign – and another reminder to stay safe while enjoying the fading days of summer.
That safety message is especially important for travelers. As of July 30, the armed services experienced 46 fatalities this summer, 34 of them vehicle-related.
“Driving accidents remain our number one cause of fatalities,” said Travis Kilpack, 502nd Air Base Wing occupational safety manager. “Distracted driving is rapidly approaching the same level as drinking and driving. Add to this the desire to pack in as much as possible to a long weekend and folks will drive too far and not rest.”
Kilpack’s advice for travelers is to “rest and relax.”
“Enjoy time with family and friends, but take it easy,” he said. “If driving, get a good amount of rest before driving and take necessary breaks if you are on a long trip.”
Motorists should also make sure their vehicles are in proper working order before embarking on a journey, Kilpack said.
The American Red Cross offers a host of travel tips for Labor Day weekend, urging travelers to pay attention to the weather forecast for their destination; buckle up, slow down and not drink and drive; be well-rested and alert; use caution in work zones; observe speed limits; make frequent stops; be respectful of other motorists; and let someone know their destination, route and when they expect to arrive.
Sports and recreational activities also pose risks during Labor Day weekend, Kilpack said. Swimming and boating are two of those activities.
“Every summer we hear about someone drowning in a local lake or ocean – such as kids getting stuck in a riptide last summer on the Padre Island beach or a father drowning in Canyon Lake this summer after falling from a jet ski,” he said. “In most cases these fatalities are preventable through proper preparation. All of these tragedies occurred because they didn’t have a proper personal flotation devices.
“You need to wear your life vests, make your kids wear them when they’re in the ocean or on a boat and keep an eye on everyone,” Kilpack said. “Most of us think we can swim much farther than we actually can.”
Grilling in the backyard or at a park or campsite can also be dangerous, so taking the proper precautions is vital, he said.
“Keep your grill away from other flammables, such as gas tanks and fuels,” Kilpack said. “Grill outside, away from the building, and not in an enclosed garage or porch. And refrain from horseplay around the grill or fire pit.”
The American Red Cross advises backyard chefs to make sure everyone stays away from the grill, use the long-handed tools especially made for cooking on the grill, never add charcoal starter fluid when the coals have already been ignited and always follow the manufacturer’s instructions when using grills.
Kilpack’s advice is to always keep safety first, no matter the activity.
“My tagline for many years has been ‘think safe, act safe, be safe,’” he said. “With that in mind, if you think about the activities you are considering and you act safely while planning and doing those activities, you will be safer.”