Deck the halls…safely

  • Published
  • By Brig. Gen. Robert P. Steel
  • 48th Fighter Wing commander
ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England --  The operational readiness exercise last week gave us an opportunity to really focus on the importance of safety in our operational tasks. From simple things like wearing your reflective belt during non-daylight hours to big things like explicitly following tech orders to ensure our jets launch safely, I'm proud of the level of effort and attention to detail our Liberty Warriors put into executing our ORE in a safe, effective manner.

However, I'd feel remiss if I didn't also emphasize the importance of safety on the home front during the winter months. The same level of safety focus you each put into the ORE last week should also be put into the safety of your homes, your family and your friends.

Simple things, like slowing down when driving in adverse weather and blowing out candles when leaving a room unattended, can save your family from experiencing a holiday catastrophe. Vehicle accidents double during the winter months due to ice and poor visibility. House fires increase during the months of November and December, primarily due to holiday cooking and baking left unattended and improperly decking your halls with holiday decorations.

According to the U.S. Fire Administration, each year holiday fires injure 2,600 individuals and cause over $930 million in damage. If those statistics don't inspire you to water your holiday tree regularly and check electrical outputs for proper voltage, I can assure you that walking through the charred, smoking home of a family, now homeless during the holidays, will. To avoid this, our assistant RAF Lakenheath fire chief shared with us in last week's Jet 48 some simple, life-saving steps you can take to ensure a safe and happy holiday and greatly reduce your chance of becoming a holiday fire casualty. I'd like to reiterate them:

- Care for your holiday tree by not placing it near a fireplace or heat vent and keep the stand filled with water at all times. When the tree becomes dry, discard it promptly by taking it to a recycling center.

- Inspect holiday lights for frayed wires and broken sockets before putting them up. Do not overload electrical outlets, and ensure the correct voltage is used with U.K. and U.S. lights. Also, do not leave holiday lights on unattended...not only is it safer to turn your lights off at night, but it saves electricity.

- Use non-flammable decorations, including flame-retardant artificial trees, and place then away from heat vents. If you light candles, make sure they are in stable holders and place them where they cannot be easily knocked down. Never leave the house with candles burning.

- Test smoke alarms in your home monthly, and keep fresh batteries in them at all times Working smoke alarms are vital for early detection of smoke and fire. And remember to practice your home escape plan.

In addition to fire safety, I must emphasize the importance of careful driving on the local roads. Just last week we had a near-fatal motorcycle accident of one of our active duty members, who, although wearing the proper gear, still couldn't slow down in time to avoid a terrible accident.

From fog, ice and snow to darkness, small roads and weariness behind the wheel...every single one of these factors can cause an accident on their own. Combine a few together and disaster inevitably strikes. Do everything you can to set yourself up safely before driving.

- Clear windows of condensation, ice and snow; check weather forecasts and adjust your travel plans accordingly; have your car winterized and ensure tires are suitable for poor weather traction; most importantly

- SLOW DOWN. This, above anything else, will alleviate the consequences of an accident, should one occur.

Notice I didn't mention alcohol and drinking and driving. As everyone knows, getting behind the wheel after even one drink is unacceptable in the U.S. Air Force and puts most people over the legal limit in the U.K. Don't do it. Enough said.

Although safety isn't always an exciting or enjoyable topic to discuss with your family and friends, it's an important one. So important, it can save your life and the lives of those you love. What better gift can you give this holiday season than taking care of one another?