Critical Days of Summer stresses increased safety awareness

  • Published
  • By Rod Krause
  • 5th Bomb Wing Ground Safety Manager
MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. --  This weekend Team Minot and the rest of the Air Force community is about to enter the Critical Days of Summer, which runs from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Mishap databases across the Air Force and Department of Defense alike tell us this is the most dangerous time of the year.

The Critical Days of Summer campaign is a Team Minot campaign and it's important because it's a reminder of the increased level of activity people experience in one way or another over the summer months, and it helps to reveal the increased level of risk and exposure to mishap- producing situations.

In fiscal year 2011, the Air Force lost 18 active duty members during the Critical Days of Summer, the lowest number of summer fatalities since the inception of the campaign; however, it was 18 too many.

I can go on about things you should and shouldn't do, but I am not going to. What I am going to tell you is simply know your challenges, limitations, and the risks that are involved in our daily lives and activities. Mishaps can be avoided. It's human nature to believe that mishaps only happen to "the other guy," but take a good look around you, you are that "other guy" to your friends, co-workers, and family members alike. The bottom line is make it personal.

As you prepare for work each day, no matter if you work in security, as a cook, or on the flight line, remember that risk is inherent in everything you do, and one of your duties is to minimize risk to yourself and your co-workers. If you see someone committing or about to commit an un-safe act it's your duty to stop them. It is all about accepting responsibility, your personal integrity, and your duty to do the right thing.
Likewise, as you prepare to engage in recreational activities in your off-duty time, whether it's a family outing or a fishing trip to the local pond, think before you act.

Please believe me, if you fail to prepare, someday luck is not going to be on your side and you're going to get caught, resulting in an injury or even worse. The best preventative measure you can take is to imagine everything that can possibly go wrong, within reason, and then take the appropriate actions to ensure they don't occur.

Your families, friends and co-workers need you in their lives, please do your part to remain there for them. All of us at Team Safety wish each and every one of you a safe and enjoyable Critical Days of Summer!