Labor Day safety to conclude CDOS campaign

by Airman 1st Class Alexandria Slade
Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph Public Affairs

8/22/2013 - JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas -- As summer comes to a close, the Critical Days of Summer campaign is set to conclude with Labor Day safety.

Labor Day symbolizes the end of summer, the beginning of football season and a celebration for workers and their families, Staff Sgt. Gary Lund, 502nd Air Base Wing ground safety technician, said.

Common recreational activities during this holiday can vary from barbecues to traveling and camping - all of which can be dangerous if the proper procedures to manage one's safety are not taken.

Lund said the usual risks of Labor Day weekend include "long road trips, summer hazards and alcohol consumption."

No matter what plans are in store for the holiday weekend, Joint Base San Antonio members should always have a plan and utilize the wingman, or battle buddy, concept, Lund said. If one is planning on leaving the local area, notify a second party and avoid traveling alone.

Alcohol consumption is a factor that should be carefully considered and planned around at all times.

"Use the wingman philosophy," Marvin Joyce, 502nd ABW safety and occupational health specialist, said. "Watch over each other, know your limits, make a plan and designate a driver.
If you're going to drink, do so responsibly and drink enough water to stay hydrated."

Along with alcohol consumption, other potential hazards include cooking food on or around open flames, and water mishaps.

To lessen the danger of recreational activities during Labor Day weekend, Joyce said to "maintain constant supervision."

"Make sure barbecue grills are in good working condition and if participating in water activities, set safety rules for the whole group based on their swimming capabilities," he said.

While traveling to and from events or different areas, "follow all road rules," Lund said.

Travel preparation should include a survival kit, vehicle tune-up, alternate plans for bad weather and adequate rest, he said. Airmen age 26 and below traveling long distances must fill out an Air Education and Training Form 29B. Soldiers should use the Ground Risk Assessment Tool found at http://safety.army.mil that will provide the user with an automated DA Form 7566 that can be updated, saved and emailed.