Labor Day Safety

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Veronica McMahon
  • 325th Fighter Wing Safety Office
TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  Signs indicating the end of summer are beginning to appear. The days are getting shorter; the National Football League preseason is in full swing and kids are stocking up on back-to-school supplies.

Labor Day weekend also marks the end of this year's 101 Critical Days of Summer campaign. The 325th Fighter Wing Safety Office is happy to report that as of Sept. 3, Tyndall Air Force Base has not suffered one fatality during this critical period. This is a direct result of the community's safety vigilance, Operational Risk Management practice and commitment to being good Wingmen.

Unfortunately, the Air Force as a whole has not fared so well. Through Sept. 7, during the 101 Critical Days of Summer, we had lost 16 valuable Airmen in motor vehicle-related mishaps, three in sports and recreational accidents, and one in an uncatagorized accident. That's three more fatalities than we had last year during the same period .

Labor Day weekend can be one of the deadliest times of the year. Many people try to squeeze last-minute summer activities into one short weekend.

As you prepare to celebrate Labor Day with friends and family, keep safety in mind. Don't drink and drive and don't allow friends to do so either.

The safety office urges members of the Tyndall community who are planning driving trips over the long weekend to take some simple precautions:

-- Plan enough time for the trip and don't speed.
-- Watch out for aggressive drivers. There will be plenty of traffic on the roads.
-- Make sure to get plenty of rest and avoid becoming fatigued.
-- Let someone know where you will be going and what your timetable is.
-- Make sure your vehicle is in good shape before your departure.
-- Always wear your seat belt.

Those who remain in town should remember to avoid taking unnecessary risks when enjoying the outdoors. Use extreme caution when boating, swimming and when using all-terrain vehicles. Do not let your guard down; be especially watchful of each other during this long holiday weekend. Enjoy the time with family and friends, and, above all, do it safely.