Summer safety Published June 17, 2015 By Airman 1st Class Solomon Cook 325th Fighter Wing Public Affairs TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- Summer is upon us and as with all seasons, Airmen should use situational awareness with new weather conditions. With the increased heat and various holidays that generally call for fun in the sun, it is important to be aware of high temperatures, heat-related risk with outdoor activity, safety tips and local seasonal animal behaviors. "The Air Force will sustain a large majority of its mishaps during the summer, between May and September when members are off-duty," said Staff Sgt. Lee Elam, 325 Fighter Wing Safety ground safety technician. "This time of the year personnel will need to take more precautions when out enjoying their favorite activities. Off-duty mishaps make up the largest majority of reportable incidents because personnel once off duty tend to take fewer precautions when enjoying their time off. " It is easy to remember safety when on-duty because personnel are always briefed to take the steps necessary to protect themselves from getting hurt. Some of the same steps that you would take while completing your regular job would be the same steps you need to take while off-duty, Lee added. When outside for long periods of time one of the most important things to remember is hydration and sun protection. According to National Health Statistics Reports website, in 2011, 587 people died from exposure to excessive heat. It is important to protect yourself by: wearing light weight and light colored clothing, taking frequent water breaks, wearing sunscreen and not leaving children or animals unattended in a vehicle. Residents of Tyndall should be aware of the local animal behaviors and be cautious as well. "The biggest animal safety risk that can be encountered on Tyndall is the black bear," Elam said. "Black bears mostly move around at night scavenging food from the dumpsters and trash cans. If someone stumbles onto a bear they should not approach the bear. Try to make yourself as big as possible and make loud noises." For additional information on black bears contact the local natural resource office at (850) 283-2822, Elam added. Although weather and nature may play a part in summer safety, some safety risks are manmade. "Fireworks safety is a very important topic of discussion during the height of summer because of their extremely hazardous potential," said Elam. "The National Fire Protection Association estimates the 17,000 fires occur and 1,800 people are injured each year in fireworks related mishaps." A few firework safety tips are as follows: - Don't let children play with fireworks. - Only use fireworks in a wide open area that does not allow for falling embers to reach the ground and catch anything on fire. - Check the local state laws as certain states do not allow for air burst fireworks to be used by anyone other than a trained professional. - Never shoot fireworks at anyone or anything; fireworks burns on average of 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit which is hot enough to melt some metals. - Please remember that the use and/or storage of fireworks on Tyndall AFB is strictly prohibited unless approved in writing by the Mission Support Group Commander. Additionally, with the summer months come barbeques. "First and foremost keep the grill clean and free from built up grease, this goes for both propane and charcoal grills," Elam said. "It is important to keep grills away from any materials that can catch fire, such as the home and garbage cans. Additionally, keep children and pets away from grills. Never leave a grill unattended. For more information visit the National Fire Protection Association website," Elam added. For summer safety tips and more information contact the ground safety office at (850) 283-4231.