The document discusses safety tips for the holiday season from the Naval Safety Center. It notes that Thanksgiving weekends typically see over 400 traffic deaths and 44,000 injuries according to the National Safety Council. The Naval Safety Center data shows no fatalities over Thanksgiving or Christmas in 2013 but two Marine fatalities on New Year's. Common factors in mishaps are excessive speed, distractions, alcohol, poor decisions, overconfidence, and inability to minimize hazards. Tips are provided to drive safely, avoid distractions and fatigue, not drink and drive, handle firearms and food safely, and prevent home injuries. Operational risk management principles should be applied to holiday plans using the ABCD model to mitigate risks.

1. Naval Safety Center

2. Mishap Prevention
National Safety Council estimates for Thanksgiving weekend:
• 418 traffic deaths
• 44,700 non-fatal injuries that require medical attention
Holiday Safety - Naval Safety Center
2

3. 2013 Holiday Season Fatalities
(27 November – 1 January)
Holiday Safety - Naval Safety Center
3
Thanksgiving
(27 Nov – 1 Dec)
Christmas
(24 – 25 Dec)
New Year
(31 Dec – 1 Jan)
PMV Navy 0 1 0
Marines 0 0 0
RECREATION/
OFF DUTY
Navy 0 0 0
Marines 0 0 2
Naval Safety Center data as of 11/24/2014

4. Mishap Contributing Factors
• Excessive speed
• Distractions
• Alcohol
• Poor decisions/judgment
• Inability to assess and minimize hazard
• Overconfidence
Holiday Safety - Naval Safety Center
4

5. Speeding
Holiday Safety - Naval Safety Center
5

6. Speeding
• Why? How much additional time will an accident or ticket
cost? Is it worth it?
• Speeding mishaps occur:
• not on interstates
• on local roads; speed > 55mph
• areas of impaired vision – curves, intersections, steep grades
Holiday Safety - Naval Safety Center
Act of exceeding posted speed limit or driving
too fast for conditions.
6

7. Driving Distractions
Holiday Safety - Naval Safety Center
7

8. Driving Distractions
Distraction: Anything taking eyes or mind off task of driving.
• Visual
• Mechanical
• Cognitive
Holiday Safety - Naval Safety Center
“80% of all crashes and 65% of
all near crashes involved
driver inattention within three
seconds of the crash”
– Virginia Tech Transportation Institute
“Drive now! Talk, eat and groom later.”
8

9. Seatbelts
• “Single most effective means of protection in crash”
• Prevents ejection
• Spreads impact
• 40% decrease in fatal injury potential
• It’s the law
Holiday Safety - Naval Safety Center
9

10. Fatigue
Holiday Safety - Naval Safety Center
10

11. Fatigue
Physiological state associated with reduced alertness,
performance and output.
SIGNS HOW TO AVOID FATIGUE
Burning Eyes Get Regular Sleep
Heavy Eyelids Recognize Signs
Inability to Focus Get Off Road
Yawning 12 am – 6 am
Holiday Safety - Naval Safety Center
11

12. Alcohol
• Legal substance (those of age)
• Thanksgiving mishaps – 40%
• Mixes with H2O, Coke, 7Up
• Does not mix with driving, firearms, snow skiing and other
winter sports
Holiday Safety - Naval Safety Center
12

13. Firearms
Rule #1 Always treat guns as if they were loaded.
Rule #2 Always keep guns pointed in a safe direction.
Rule #3 Always keep weapons on safe and finger off the trigger
until ready to fire.
Rule #4 Always keep guns unloaded until ready to use.
Holiday Safety - Naval Safety Center
13

14. Food Preparation and Handling
Holiday Safety - Naval Safety Center
14

15. Food Preparation and Handling
• Proper handling is key.
• Bacteria will spoil holiday meals. Follow these simple
preparation tips:
• Thaw turkey in refrigerator by weight.
• Use separate cutting boards and utensils; if using one cutting
board, wash often in hot soapy water.
• Cook turkey and stuffing separately; 165 degrees F indicates
doneness.
• Store leftovers quickly and properly.
• Ensure chilled foods are properly stored and handled.
Holiday Safety - Naval Safety Center
15

16. Home Injuries
Holiday Safety - Naval Safety Center
16

17. Home Injuries
Home Safety Council’s Top 5 Non-Fatal Injuries:
1. Falls (account for 41% of all home non-fatal injuries)
2. Struck by/against objects
3. Cuts/piercings
4. Overexertion
5. Poisoning
Holiday Safety - Naval Safety Center
17

18. Operational Risk Management
Manage your holiday plans and activities by applying the
principles of ORM and the A-B-C-D process of time-critical risk
management.
Holiday Safety - Naval Safety Center
ORM online: http://www.public.navy.mil/comnavsafecen/pages/orm/index.aspx
18

19. Operational Risk Management
Gauge your risk and use resources to avoid potential for error.
Use the ABCD Model before, during and after your holiday trip.
Holiday Safety - Naval Safety Center
Customize
resource blocks
with holiday-related
activities, e.g.,
pre-trip
checklist, road
trip rules for
kids, GPS and
maps.
ORM online: http://www.public.navy.mil/comnavsafecen/pages/orm/index.aspx
Green = Good
situational
awareness. You
can catch errors
before they
occur.
Yellow = Higher
chance of errors.
Tools and
resources not in
place to catch
errors.
Red = Very high
chance of
serious error.
Stress may be
high, tunnel
vision may
occur.
19

20. Travel Risk Planning System
• On-line, survey-style, risk-assessment tool
• Mitigates risk associated with driving long distances
Holiday Safety - Naval Safety Center
http://www.public.navy.mil/comnavsafecen/pages/ashore/motor_vehicle/trips.aspx
Image: http://www.decorgirl.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/Roadtrip-map.png
20

21. Summary
Holiday Safety - Naval Safety Center
 Plan ahead.
 Stay aware.
 Keep risk to a minimum.
 Have a safe and enjoyable holiday season!
21