Photo By Janecze Wright | Wyatt McLean, 17, lifeguard with the Directorate of Family and Morale, Welfare and...... read more read more
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FORT HOOD, Texas — Summer is here and the sun-soaked days that follow Memorial Day through Labor Day represent the 101 Critical Days of Summer — a period associated with the highest potential for fun in the sun and the possibility of accidents and injuries.
The annual summer safety campaign aims to increase awareness about the critical surge in preventable accidents during the summer months.
Motor vehicle and motorcycle accidents, heat-related and food-borne illnesses and water safety are common areas of focus.
Dustin Shuffler, occupational health and safety specialist with the Fort Hood Garrison Safety Office, noted the summer months spur a significant increase in vehicle and motorcycle mishaps.
“Motor vehicle and motorcycle accidents remain the leading cause of off duty fatalities,” Shuffler acknowledged. “This loss impacts unit readiness, manning, morale and mission capability,” he explained.
Shuffler noted some of the most preventable incidents share common root causes such as speeding, alcohol use and fatigue and said the installation strives to mitigate these risks requiring progressive motorcycle safety training for Soldiers who wish to ride on- or off- post. They also offer free basic and advanced riders courses and online remedial and intermediate drivers training courses.
Shuffler added intense heat is one of the common risks service members face as heat-related fatigue and dehydration become more prevalent during the hotter months.
Yesenia Montoya, registered nurse, Army Public Health Nursing, Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center, agreed.
“We live in the State of Texas, where it gets hot very quickly. It’s already 90s, but the feel-like temperature is closer to 100,” she explained. “A lot of people, they suffer these heat illnesses because they don’t recognize the symptoms.”
Heat-related illnesses range in severity from mild to life-threatening and include heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
Heat cramps are painful muscle spasms caused by excessive sweating and loss of salt; escalating to heat exhaustion identified by heavy sweating, weakness, dizziness, nausea and headache. If untreated, heat stroke, the most severe form of heat illnesses, can occur when the body’s temperature rises above 103° Fahrenheit, and can lead to confusion, loss of consciousness and even death if not treated immediately.
Montoya noted there are several techniques to prevent heat illness or injury such as staying hydrated and drinking electrolytes, seeking shaded areas, wearing light clothing and avoiding over-exertion in extreme temperatures.
Being aware of the signs of heat illness or injury and acting quickly is key, Montoya said.
If the person is awake and alert, they should move to a heavily shaded area and sip small amounts of water until they start to feel better, she said.
Montoya added removing clothing, submerging forearms in cool water and using cooling blankets can also help.
“The Soldiers need to be ready and conditioned, and a heat injury can take you out of your daily duties because you need medical attention, so it’s very important to know the top things to look for,” Montoya said.
Foodborne illnesses also tend to increase during summer months, Montoya noted.
“The summer is the time where people do barbecues, potlucks, people bring in different foods; and so we see an uptick in foodborne illnesses here at the hospital,” she explained. “It always goes back to either how you prepared the food or how you maintain the food once it’s cooked.”
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advocates cleaning hands and surfaces; separating meat, poultry and fish from other foods; cooking food to the correct internal temperature; and refrigerating promptly.
Beef, lamb, pork and fish should be cooked to an internal temperature of 145° F, ground meats to 160° F and poultry and leftovers to 165° F.
Montoya said mayonnaise-based foods are often the source of foodborne illness and encourages keeping these foods refrigerated or colder than 40° F.
Water activities are just as popular as barbecues during the summer, and as many families head to the pools, beaches and lakes, water safety becomes vital.
Wyatt McLean, 17, explained his job as a lifeguard with the Directorate of Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation Aquatics program means ensuring families enjoy their time at the pool safely.
“It’s important to have somebody there to have their back and remind them there’s certain things they should do like staying hydrated or following rules to keep families happy and safe while they are here at The Great Place,” he said.
McClean noted triple-digit temperatures make the pools extremely popular during the summer and encourages patrons to drink water throughout the day, stay hydrated and act responsibly around the water.
Lakes and beaches also bustle with activity during the summer, making water safety even more crucial for preventing drowning and other water-related injuries.
The National Safety Council highlights risk factors such as overconfidence in strength and physical fitness, which can lead to overestimating swimming ability; alcohol consumption, which can impair judgement and clarity; lack of water safety training, ignoring environmental hazards like rip currents and not wearing life jackets.
The NSC lists several precautions such as never consuming alcohol while swimming or operating a boat; not underestimating the power of water and undertows; and always having first aid and emergency kits handy.
Water enthusiasts can gain lifesaving skills through the Fort Hood DFMWR Learn to Swim program.
For more information about water safety visit http://hood.armymwr.com/programs/aquatics/calendar.
The 101 Critical Days of Summer serve as a stark reminder that readiness begins with preparation. By making responsible decisions and prioritizing safety, Soldiers and military families can enjoy a safer summer.
| Date Taken: | 07.02.2026 |
| Date Posted: | 07.09.2026 15:59 |
| Story ID: | 569261 |
| Location: | TEXAS, US |
| Web Views: | 8 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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