Safety First - Naval Base San Diego Hosts Summertime Safety Fair

By Communication Specialist 3rd Class Charlotte C. Oliver, Navy Public Affairs Support Element West

SAN DIEGO (NNS) -- Sailors from Commander, Navy Region Southwest attended the 6th Annual Safety Fair at Mariner's Park May 23.

According to Commanding Officer Naval Base San Diego, Capt. Winton Smith, the time period between Memorial Day and Labor Day sees an increase in recreational related accidents and mishaps, with about 30 deaths last year.

Nearly half of these were motorcycle related.

Smith spoke to the crowd of Sailors warning them just how deadly and unpredictable the summer months can be. With the summer months starting this Memorial Day weekend, Smith stressed that Sailors take the appropriate precautions to stay safe.

"With this week being Memorial Day, we want to reach our Sailors to make the right choice one last time before the long weekend." Smith said.

Occupational safety specialist Scott Simerson and his team from Commander, Navy Region Southwest, had booths set up from various companies to teach Sailors an array of safety practices from proper use of power tools to a Naked Juice booth that promoted a healthier lifestyle to Sailors.

Sailors were also given a presentation by the San Diego Coast Guard Auxiliary on the proper use and wear of life jackets including choosing the right life jacket depending on what water activity they may be participating in.

Before Sailors were allowed to venture out to the booths and enjoy free food hot off the grill, singer and traffic school teacher Michael "Big Daddy" Laughbaum entertained the crowd with a musical lesson about traffic safety, and a comedic twist on ZZ Top's "La Grange" to the theme of how not to be "That Guy."

"I wanted to put in Sailors' minds of what can happen if they decide to drink and drive," said Laughbaum.

Vendors from the San Diego area gave training and provided information on products ranging from power tools, to registering your bicycle with the naval base and personal protective equipment. Representatives from Maddox Defense also provided information on some of their military-based high tech portable solar panel devices and ecological "green" cleaners and degreasers geared toward making commands more eco-friendly.

The event was coordinated by the Safety Office at Naval Base San Diego with the support of various commands in the region.