Remember Safety during 101 Critical Days of Summer

BETHESDA, MD, UNITED STATES

05.25.2017

Story by Andrew Damstedt 

Naval Support Activity Bethesda

Memorial Day marks the beginning of summer for many and is a reminder to review the guidelines in the “101 Critical Days of Summer” annual Navy wide campaign.

“From Memorial Day through Labor Day, many of us will face increased exposure to hazards at home and on the job,” Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis wrote in a safety memo. “Warm weather and longer days combine for greater opportunities to travel, play sports and enjoy recreational activities of every kind. As leaders we must prepare ourselves and engage our people to ensure we exercise sound judgment and focused leadership to lessen the vulnerability of our uniformed and civilian workforce to unique summertime hazards. One loss is too many. The preservation of our force is a national security imperative.”

In summer 2016, the Naval Safety Center reported 19 Sailors and Marines died – 17 from traffic accidents and two during recreational activities.

Naval Support Activity Bethesda (NSAB) Safety Manager Phil Phillips encourages people go over these safety tips before going out on summer activities.

BEACH SAFETY

• Hit the beach early and later in the afternoon; protect your skin – limit amount of direct sunlight between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.

• Wear sunglasses and foot protection

• Don’t dive headfirst into any unknown or shallow water

• Avoid jumping from cliffs, piers, jetties or bridges

• Stay clear of boats

• Swim parallel to shore

BICYCLING

• Make sure brakes and cables work correctly

• Tighten the saddle and handlebar grips

• Obey traffic signals when riding in streets

• Make eye contact with drivers, pedestrians and other cyclists

BOAT SAFETY

• Don’t overload your boat

• Keep a good lookout and situational awareness of other boats and objects

• Operate at safe and legal speeds

DRIVING

• Don’t drink and drive; call a cab or use ride-sharing application

• Reduce in-vehicle distractions

• All Sailors and Marines must complete the Basic Rider Course to ride a motorcycle

HEAT ILLNESS

• Recognize symptoms of heat stroke such as hot, red and dry skin; rapid, weak pulse; and rapid, shallow breathing

• Heat exhaustion symptoms are cool, pale skin; heavy sweating; headache, nausea or vomiting and dizziness

• Wear lightweight, light colored clothing; drink water, eat small meals and take regular breaks

HYDRATION

• Drink water or sports drink after exercising or most physical activity

• Start drinking water an hour or two before starting physical activity during high heat

SUNBURN

• Use sunscreen with a Sun Protection Factor of at least 15

• Reapply sunscreen every two hours

• If possible, stay in the shade

For more information, visit the Naval Safety Center website at go.usa.gov/xNkYX.

• Date Taken: 05.25.2017
• Date Posted: 05.25.2017 13:01
• Story ID: 235270
• Location: BETHESDA, MD, US