Live to play, play to live: The Critical Days of Summer are upon us

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Heather Stanton
  • 4th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. --  The summer heat is here and Airmen are ready to play hard after being cooped up all winter long.

The Critical Days of Summer safety campaign is in full swing until Sept. 7 to make Airmen aware of the risks summer activities tend to bring. This year's theme is "Live to Play, Play to Live."

"The Critical Days of Summer is a time period when we've noticed a lot of mishaps and injuries occur because more people are doing outdoor and high-risk activities to include swimming, scuba diving and all the stuff you have to wait to do because you can't do them in the winter months," said Staff Sgt. Pierre Convers, 4th Fighter Wing ground safety journeyman. "It's a situation where there is an influx of fatalities, mishaps and injuries. We (the safety office) are going to do our best to provide as much information to Airmen to ensure they stay safe."

During the past three summer campaigns, an average of 19 Airmen were lost throughout the Air Force, said Timothy Edwards, 4th FW ground safety manager. Last year alone the Air Force experienced 21 fatal mishaps, 13 of which involved personal motor vehicles. Alcohol was a factor in 33 percent of these incidents.

"The number-one killer for our Airmen is motor vehicles," Sergeant Convers said. When getting behind the wheel, drivers should be completely aware of their surroundings, including other drivers and motorcycle riders and always have an alternate plan if they intend to drink. Drivers need to be well-rested for long trips and not allow themselves to get distracted by external problems.

The safety office staff's primary areas of concern this summer are Airmen on leave, traveling, and drinking and driving.

"A concern is Airmen who go home on leave and get back together with old friends," Mr. Edwards said. "Sometimes the attitude changes and they feel they are away from the Air Force for a few weeks and fall into dangerous situations at home. Bottom line: You are a professional Airman off and on duty and the professionalism must be maintained."

To combat potential mishaps, the safety office staff scheduled wing safety days throughout the summer. They have also loaded their Community of Practice Web site on the Air Force Portal with slideshows about various safety topics and tips to get Airmen through the summer safely.

Sergeant Convers believes if an Airman reads a slideshow or hears a safety briefing on a high-risk activity, it could stop them from doing something unsafe and help them make good decisions.

"While we have made some slight improvements during the past few years, we are far from our goal of zero preventable, fatal mishaps," Mr. Edwards said. "It takes each of us to save lives and we have a responsibility to teach, mentor and provide the right message for everyone, from children to adults, to make a difference."

For more information on the Critical Days of Summer campaign or to find safety tips, log on to the CoP at https://www.my.af.mil/afknprod/community/views/home.aspx?Filter=OO-SE-AC-24 or contact the safety office at 722-4222.