Air Force Critical Days of Summer 2013: Safe ’n Sound – All Year Round

  • Published
  • By Samuel Spooner
  • 17th Training Wing Safety Office
The Air Force developed the Critical Days of Summer Campaign 2013 to raise awareness of the hazards during the summer season.

The campaign is aimed at helping Airmen and Defense Department civilians mitigate hazards and understand safety has a role in everything, both on- and off-duty. While all Airmen have a commitment to the core values of integrity, service and excellence, they must also have a commitment to their family, friends, co-workers and country, to value safety.

Below are the topics highlighted during the 2013 season, May 24 to Sept. 3.

Week 1: On the Road Again - Safe travel in private motor vehicles
Week 2: Stone Cold Sober - DUI & alcohol related incident prevention
Week 3: Friends - Being a good Wingman
Week 4: Hot Fun in the Summertime - Preventing heat-related illness
Week 5: Stormy Weather - Severe weather awareness
Week 6: Living in America - Firework safety
Week 7: Born to be Wild - Motorcycle safety
Week 8: Built for Speed - Excessive Speed
Week 9: Boatman - Boating safety
Week 10: Gonna Fly Now - Fitness safety
Week 11: Basketball Jones - Basketball injury prevention
Week 12: Bicycle Race - Bicycling safety
Week 13: Rocky Mountain High - Extreme sports
Week 14: Funeral in the Rain - Safe travels over Labor Day Weekend

During the summer, private motor vehicle mishaps are the number one cause of fatalities in the Air Force.

"As you drive to and from vacation destinations, remember 81 percent of the non-combat fatalities in 2012 took place over the summer," stated Chuck Hagel, Secretary of Defense, during a 2013 summer safety message. "Last summer, 80 service members died in motor vehicle collisions, 27 in 4-wheel vehicles, 47 while riding motorcycles, four pedestrians and two bicyclists."

May is Motorcycle Awareness Month. The number of motorcycle riders is increasing, so please continue to focusing on reducing motorcycle mishaps. There are a lot of automobile drivers distracted and not paying attention to what is going on around them and there are a small group of sport bikers who think public roadways are their personal racetracks or stunt courses. It is important for everyone to share the road safely. Please drive defensively, be courteous to other drivers and avoid distractions. Just drive.