Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Darron Salzer | Civilian and military first responders with Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst Fire...... read more read more
JOINT BASE McGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. – As Joint Base MDL kicks off the annual 101 Critical Days of Summer safety campaign, base fire departments want to ensure service members, defense employees and family members are aware of hazards that may cause injury during these warmer days.
“Typically in the nicer weather you see an increase in car accidents and motorcycle accidents,” said David Harris, Joint Base Fire and Emergency Services captain. “People tend to think that car accidents occur on cloudy, snowy days and that’s not true.”
Summer means people are out enjoying the weather and not focusing on the road and a major increase in accidents occurs, especially with the increase in joggers on the road, Harris said.
“You have an increase of activity on the roadway and you see a definite increase in incidents like individuals that are struck by cars or motorcycle accidents and bicycle accidents,” he said, noting that children riding bikes can also be a concern.
Harris said that the obvious thing to help mitigate these types of summer incidents is to simply be aware.
“Pay attention,” he said. “Drivers need to watch for motorcycles and joggers. Parents have to have common sense about keeping kids out of the streets or wearing their helmets.
“Typically, it’s common sense that was lacking during an incident,” Harris said.
In addition to accidents on the roadways, other seasonal accidents involving outdoor cooking, swimming pool or heat related incidents also are of major concern.
“When it comes to grilling or cooking outdoors during the summer months, we have a fire prevention team that goes out into the base housing area to educate the population,” said Tech. Sgt. Kahlil Davis, firefighter for the 87th Air Base Wing.
The team, Davis said, talks with residents about safety while grilling and asks that residents check their fire extinguishers to make certain they are working properly and that all family members are knowledgeable on how to use them.
Davis said monthly newsletters are distributed to Base personnel. The safety messages enclosed in the publications mitigate the risks of some incidents because the population, Davis said, becomes aware of the issues.
“During the 101 Critical Days of Summer, don’t overexert yourself,” he said. “We all get the briefings about why that is important so be careful with the work-rest cycles during daily activities and always hydrate during the summer months.”
And remember to have fun, agreed both men.
“A lot of people like to use this time in the summer to kick back and relax,” Harris said, “so enjoy yourself. Safety is year round, but during the summer, things tend to get ‘interesting.’”
“It’s nice to have a good time, but do it safely and with common sense,” he said.
| Date Taken: | 05.15.2013 |
| Date Posted: | 05.16.2013 22:09 |
| Story ID: | 107087 |
| Location: | JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, NJ, US |
| Web Views: | 159 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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