Summer Safety Resources Available

By April Phillips, Naval Safety Center Public Affairs

NORFOLK, Va. (NNS) -- In an effort to save lives and reduce the risks associated with common summertime activities, the Naval Safety Center has compiled various resources for service members.

The theme for this year's summer safety campaign is "Live to Play, Play to Live," and it focuses on the many ways Sailors, Marines, and their families can have fun without becoming a victim.

"Nearly everything we do for fun during the summer involves some level of risk," said Rear Adm. Arthur J. Johnson, commander, Naval Safety Center. "The important thing is to understand the potential dangers; carefully consider them and take the actions necessary to reduce the risk as much as possible. That's how you set yourself up for success all summer long."

Summer safety resources have been designed so commands can personalize them for their own safety standdowns or training sessions. The campaign includes presentations, videos, articles for base newspapers, and traffic and recreation booklets.

Focus areas for this year's campaign include motor vehicle safety, alcohol awareness, and water safety. The majority of last summer's fatalities fell into these categories, and Johnson said these deaths affect mission readiness across the fleet.

"The loss of even a single trained and ready Sailor or Marine is unacceptable, especially during a time of war when manning, training and operating resources are tight," he said. "We need each and every one of you engaged and in the fight. We cannot afford the mission impact of any preventable-mishap losses this summer."