Critical Days of Summer are coming; are you ready?

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Megan P. Lyon
  • 48th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England --  As the days grow longer and the weather becomes warmer, Airmen from the Liberty Wing are ready to make the most of summertime in England.

Arriving alongside the warming weather is the annual Air Force-wide "Critical Days of Summer" campaign, which kicked off May 27, 2011.

The CDS will run from May 27 to Sept 6. The campaign goal is to have zero preventable fatal mishaps and an injury-free summer. Historically, the period between Memorial Day and Labor Day incurs a spike in off-duty accidents.

"The purpose is to prevent fatalities and reduce the number of mishaps from Memorial Day to Labor Day," said Master Sgt. Justin Grant, 48th Fighter Wing Safety Office ground safety manager.

According to Sergeant Grant, 90 percent of mishaps are preventable.

The safety office sees a recurring theme in incidents: excessive vehicle speed, alcohol, fatigue and lack of seatbelt usage.

"All it takes is accessing the risks of what you are doing and knowing how you can control those risks," Sergeant Grant said. "The goal is to complete CSD without losing someone."

According to National Safety Council, Airmen can prepare themselves for summer activities by following a few tips:

 When behind the wheel, remember to:

· Wear safety belts
· Drive sober
· Focus on the road
· Drive defensively

 Share what you learn here about safety in your home with your family, friends and neighbors. Simple steps could make a huge difference.

· Don't use your cell phone while driving. Encourage those around you to do the same
· Get trained in first aid, CPR and automated external defibrillator
· Get a flu shot and make sure your family receives flu shots, too
· Fall proof your home

 Don't forget to engage your family. Children could help:
· Conduct emergency evacuation drills
· Identify safety hazards around your house, such as electrical cords that someone could trip over, rugs that slip, etc.

"Safety doesn't stop once you leave the gates of RAF Lakenheath," said Sergeant Grant. "Safety is 24/7, 365 days a year. It goes beyond the CDS."
For more information, email the safety office at 48fw.ses@lakenheath.af.mil or visit www.nsc.org.

(Editor's note: No federal endorsement is intended or implied with attached Web pages.)