It’s the winter, holiday season: Be safe, have fun

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Aaron J. Jenne
  • 4th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. --  December 22 marked the official start of winter, and even though the current climate may not reflect traditional winter weather, it is important to be prepared for risks associated with the colder months.

Safety is an important concern year-round, but it is important to be especially mindful during the winter months and holiday season, according to Eric Harper, 4th Civil Engineer Squadron fire emergency services assistant chief of fire prevention.

"Pay attention," Harper said. "Be aware of what's going on at all times. During the holiday season, we get busy. We get distracted with many different things, and we forget the small details regarding things we do every day. When cooking for example, it's very easy to get distracted by gifts, family and holiday specials, but we need to stay focused on what we're doing, otherwise we run the risk of fire."

The colder temperatures also create the perfect environment for winter sports. The mountains in western North Carolina and Virginia are local tourist attractions this time of year.

According to Tech. Sgt. Pierre Convers, 4th Fighter Wing safety technician, winter sports such as skiing, snowboarding and sledding can be dangerous activities. Last year in the Air Force, there were seven serious mishaps associated with these three activities. Of those, one resulted in fatality and another in permanent disability. Additionally, there were approximately 30 lost work days. Since the risk can be high, participants need to consider a risk management plan to mitigate the possibility of catastrophe.

"GPS is a new acronym we're using for risk management," Convers said. "G is for gear - do you have all the equipment you need for what you are doing? Is it in good shape? P is for plan - Did you consider environmental concerns or travel contingencies? S is for skills - is this outside of your realm? Are you skilled enough to do what you are trying to do? Using this system is a great way to mitigate your risk this season."

Convers added GPS doesn't only apply to high risk activities, but can be used to mitigate risk of any activity.

"Are you going on a trip?" Convers asked. "Do you have the right gear? What do your tires look like? Are you prepared for an emergency" How about a plan, do you know the route you are planning on taking? Should you consider a different route based on the weather forecast? What are your driving skills? Do you prefer not to drive at night because the lights hurt your eyes? Do you start getting tired after six or seven hours? Does your plan match your skill? If your gear plan and skill don't match up, you're increasing your risk."

Convers said risk management is like Swiss cheese. The factors that lead up to an incident are like the holes in a block of cheese. All the holes have to line up just right for an accident to occur. With proper risk management, the holes are less likely to line up.


When it gets cold or you're feeling festive, consider these tips:

∙If power is lost, generators can help keep the lights on, but always leave them outside and away from the house. They use fuel to create electricity and produce carbon monoxide as a byproduct.

∙Candles are very festive, they smell nice and produce a beautiful ambiance, but they need to be monitored, on a sturdy surface and away from anything they could ignite (walls, lampshades, curtains). Blow out all lit candles before leaving the room.

∙Electric heater fans can raise temperatures inside homes, but ensure they're quality devices that have been tested and approved by Underwriters Laboratories Inc. (UL) or Factory Mutual Research Corporation (FM). They should also have a tip over switch, which deactivates the heating elements if knocked over.

∙Fuel heaters can work well when the power goes out, but they produce toxic fumes, so they must be used in well ventilated areas, and never leave them on while you sleep.

∙Holiday Trees are festive, but must be maintained. Real trees need to be well watered. They can take up to a gallon a day to keep from drying out. When dry trees can ignite flames can spread rapidly to anything close and fill the house with thick smoke.

∙Holiday lights need to be inspected before use. Make sure all the outlet prongs are present, the wires aren't frayed or exposed and all the lights are fully inserted.

∙Don't overtax outlets. Plugging too many cords into one outlet increases the chance of fires in your home.

∙As temperatures drop, families may turn to fireplaces to warm the houses. Because they are used only part of the year, the chimneys or stove pipes are likely in need of cleaning before use. If not properly cleaned, these ventilation systems can be fire risks or flood the house with smoke.


When driving, consider these tips:

∙Start vehicles early and let them warm up before leaving to work. Not only will this make the ride to work more pleasant, the car will do most of the defrosting work and will run better when it's warm.

∙When clearing snow off of vehicles, don't forget to completely clean off the roof, all windows, hood and lights. Accelerating can send snow from the hood onto the windshield, and decelerating can move it from the roof to the windshield.

∙Install good all-weather tires with adequate tread.

∙When considering a trip, plan for the worst and make sure you are ready. Conditions can change rapidly causing delays or detours. Pack plenty of food, water, blankets and safety equipment.


Following these tips and focusing on GPS will reduce the risk of accidents and injuries.