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JBSA News
NEWS | May 27, 2011

Critical Days of Summer kicks off

By Mike Joseph 502nd Air Base Wing OL-A Public Affairs

Safety officials hope for a repeat from last year's Critical Days of Summer safety campaign when, for the first time since record keeping began, no Air Education and Training Command Airmen lives were lost between Memorial Day and Labor Day.

This year's Critical Days of Summer begins today and continues through Sept. 5. The campaign's vision is for all Airmen to have an injury-free summer, minimize traffic mishaps, and have a second fatality-free Critical Days of Summer.

From 1980 to 2010, 125 AETC Airmen have died during the Memorial Day to Labor Day timeframe, a majority in motor vehicle mishaps.

"We want Airmen to think before they act," said Tech. Sgt. Payton Barnett, 502nd Air Base Wing OL-A safety office. "Ninety percent of mishaps can be prevented if Airmen take their time and think it through."

To create awareness and promote the Critical Days of Summer campaign for Lackland personnel before this weekend, the 502nd ABW OL-A safety office held a safety expo Tuesday at Arnold Hall. The expo featured two performances by Steve Verret, "the Cajun Comic," a standup comedian and traffic safety expert, and also included safety industry exhibitors.

"We wanted to put our military members in a safety mindset, starting with this weekend," Sergeant Barnett said. "We lose more Airmen every year through traffic mishaps than from war."

Historically, fatalities and injuries have risen in the summer months, a parallel to the increased travel and outdoor activities by military members and their families. The safety campaign focuses on education and accident prevention.

AETC safety experts emphasize risk management assessment, particularly during summer activities. They include travel, barbeques, boats, all terrain vehicles, fireworks, lawnmowers, food, camping and sports.

Another important factor in managing risk assessment is alcohol. Alcohol tends to cloud judgment and impair the decision-making process, which could result in injury or death.

"A lot of Airmen - people in general - like outdoor activities because the weather's great," Sergeant Barnett said. "They do things they normally don't do. We want them to enjoy, but do it safely."