Make the right choices for summer safety Published July 1, 2015 By Mr. Wayne Bendall AMC Safety Office SCOTT AFB, Ill. -- So far we've had a great start to our Critical Days of Summer campaign, with zero fatalities. With your help, we'll stay that way. As we continue to enjoy the sun over the Independence Day weekend, let's continue to help each other meet the intent of our campaign slogan and "make the right choices." We call these the critical days for a reason; the weather is hotter, people are more active, and with activity comes additional risk. Here are some statistics to consider: The Air Force lost 16 Airmen during last summer's campaign, and a total of 41 for all of fiscal year 2014. Ten of those 16 were the result of motor vehicle mishaps. AMC lost two; both to motor vehicle operations. Looking over the past five summers, 88 Airmen have died, including nine from AMC. Again, motor vehicles were responsible for eight of the AMC Airmen we lost. These numbers are a tragic loss of our Airmen, but there's a spectrum of possibilities that can be avoided. Fireworks, barbecues, and many other outdoor activities can lead to a variety of injuries, such as burns. In fact, over 8,000 of our people will get burned this summer. It's when items are misused or we forget to take precautions that people get into trouble. Be prepared, be safe and be responsible in your activities. A key component in this year's Critical Days of Summer campaign are bi-weekly, facilitator led, small-group discussions based on true incidents. These discussions are not intended to be a stand-down or safety type briefing, rather a reflective discussion between our Airmen to challenge risky thoughts and behaviors. It's important to talk about this. The reality is that while leaders can foot stomp the importance of safety during this time of year, to be successful, we must remain mindful to ensure we maintain our goal for the AMC mishap prevention program. To us, no news of incidents is good news. If you're planning on driving, have a plan. We talk a lot about the impact of drinking and driving, but several factors can be just as impairing. Have you considered the impact of lack of sleep, being out in the sun all day, or even trying to cover too many miles at one time can have on your ability to operate a vehicle? Consider there's a reason that our aircrews have mandatory crew rest before operating an aircraft. Think ahead, plan out your driving and rest cycle to ensure you aren't overly tired when operating a vehicle. If you hear that familiar ring tone of an incoming message on your cell phone while driving, it can wait. There are a number of cell phone apps available to help avoid distracted driving and a possible accident. If you're a motorcycle rider, make sure you accomplished your in-processing and annual briefing requirements through your motorcycle safety representative. Always wear your protective gear. We urge you to use these tools to help you continue to make the right choices. Help one another keep this summer fatality- and injury-free.