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Do you have questions about Safety? We will get you an answer! Contact the Installation Safety Office 353-7085/7079
THE FORT WAINWRIGHT INSTALLATION SAFETY OFFICE
By: Robert Tanner 10 May 2013
101 days of summer
Memorial Day kicks off the summer season and the 101 critical days of summer. Time
for BBQs, boating, swimming, motorcycling, riding ATV, camping, fishing, long drives,
long days, and yes even yard work! But it is another season as well. It is the season
with the greatest dangers and the highest fatality rate among our soldiers and family.
This winter was longer than most, and we all can’t wait to get out there and enjoy
every minute of it. But slow down and look ahead, plan for what you are going to do.
Here are some things to consider:
If you are heading out to the Backcountry, ensure that you find out complete
information on the directions to the campsite, hiking or ATV trails. Get reservation
and usage information from Fish & Game or the Parks Department. Seek
information on wildlife habits and take precautions to protect yourself in the event
you encounter them. Take a good first aid kit with you at all times. Scrapes, bumps
and cuts happen and a first aid kit will prevent further injury and infection.
Leave a trip plan with a friend or neighbor so someone knows where you went and
when you’re coming back. Stick to the plan! If you have been here more than a day,
you know cell phones aren’t reliable, so take a good means of communication such
as a satellite phone or an emergency personal locator beacon a in the event of
emergency.
If you are planning a road trip, check out the road and weather conditions.
Determine how long the drive and don’t “push it”. Many lives are lost each year due
to falling asleep at the wheel. Working all day and taking a 6 hour drive to
Anchorage, not only is not smart, it isn’t worth it. Get some rest and leave early the
next day. It will save you a night in a hotel and maybe a night in a hospital.
Water safety is extremely important. We lose lives every year to drowning. Most
are due to alcohol and/or not using a PFD, no not the fund, but a Personal Flotation
Device. Make sure your children are wearing theirs at all times. Remember “Kids
don’t float”
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Do you have questions about Safety? We will get you an answer! Contact the Installation Safety Office 353-7085/7079
Whether it’s an ATV, Motorcycle, RV, a boat or even a bicycle, inspect it and make
sure it is safe to ride and won’t fail you the first time out. Many of these toys have been
sitting all winter and the gremlins have homesteaded (age reference) creating all kinds
of havoc. Its one thing to break down because things just happen, but another if it was
a failure on your part. Talk about losing cool points. Let’s just hope that is all you
lose.
Plan ahead, prepare and don’t overdo it. If you are going to drink, remember
never to mix alcohol with any kind of machinery or vehicle. Yep, that means the
lawnmower and the kids bicycle!
It takes 8,460 bolts to assemble an automobile, and one nut to scatter it all
over the road~ Author unknown
For more information:
http://www.alaska.com/activities/camping/
http://www.bellsalaska.com/myalaska/camping.html
http://www.adfg.state.ak.us/ Alaska Department of Fish & Game
http://dnr.alaska.gov/parks/ Alaska Parks & Recreation
http://www.dps.state.ak.us/ast/ Alaska State Troopers
http://dnr.alaska.gov/parks/boating/kdfhome.htm Kids don’t float program
Enjoy the summer in Alaska. Have fun, and play it safe.
Would this be boating and water safety…
Or is it home safety?
