NNMC Promotes Safety During '101 Days of Summer'

By Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Alexandra Snow, National Naval Medical Center Public Affairs

May 28, 2010 - BETHESDA, Md. (NNS) -- Memorial Day kicks off "101 Days of Summer" and National Naval Medical Center (NNMC) is focused on decreasing the heightened risk of accidents, mishaps and fatalities during this season which ends Labor Day.

The summer months are more dangerous in terms of safety hazards. One of the most common risk factors is alcohol, said Kevin Garcia, occupational safety and health specialist at the National Naval Medical Center. After a long winter, people tend to get out more often to enjoy the heat. The warm weather also becomes a factor in that it dehydrates people quicker; thus, increasing the odds of getting injured in an alcohol-related accident.

"People have been indoors for months. When the weather improves, they're taking long trips, they're engaging in recreational activities," Garcia said. "The numbers spike every year for mishaps."

Last year, 24 Sailors and 15 Marines died during the summer months.

"It's never one thing, it's usually a combination of factors," Garcia said, including alcohol, dehydration and fatigue. "The heat affects people differently."

Drinking and driving is another common danger this time of year, said Chief Master-at-Arms Robert Hebron, training and assessment officer for NNMC's Security department. While people are out driving more, they are also having more outdoor cookouts and get-togethers.

"They start to unwind, summer's here, and one beer turns into 10 beers and then all of the sudden you're getting behind the wheel of a car and driving home," Hebron said. "If you're going to drink, have a designated driver. If you're hosting a party, you're there to help keep people from drinking and driving."

The host is just as responsible as their guest who causes an accident after driving away from the party drunk, he said. When hosting a party where drinking is involved, he encourages people to make sure food is served to help absorb the alcohol. There should also be plenty of non-alcoholic beverages available.

Not only are people enjoying the weather at home more, they spend more time on the road driving. Garcia added that this causes a concern for fatigued driving because people tend to spend too many hours behind the wheel – the average distance for a summer trip is usually about 250 miles, and people often try to cover as much distance as they can as quickly as possible.

"Supervisors can be proactive, finding out where their [staff members] are going, and making sure they're not trying to rush to their destination," Garcia said.

Hebron added that people are often in a hurry and forget to buckle up, and accident-related injuries are worse for those who aren't wearing a seat belt. Some of it is being careless … a lot of people are rushing when they're going to family functions," Hebron said.

"If you aren't wearing a seat belt when the airbag deploys, you get beat up by the airbag itself."

During this time of year, accidents also occur frequently as a result of playing outdoor sports, boating accidents and home repairs, Garcia said.

"Mishaps are preventable, accidents are not. We can never see accidents coming, but we can prevent mishaps," Garcia said.

For more information about summer safety tips, visit www.safetycenter.navy.mil. There, travelers can find a link to a risk-assessment tool, the Travel Risk Planning System. Sailors and Marines can use this feature to help them recognize and avoid the hazards they could face on their trip, such as not wearing a seatbelt.