Kicking off the Critical Days of Summer

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LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. --  The critical days of summer safety campaign at Luke Air Force Base starts Memorial Day, May 25 and runs through Sept. 7, Labor Day. 

The critical days of summer is a special campaign designed to reinforce threats and common hazards associated with the perceived good weather time of the year. 

According to Ben Bruce, 56th Fighter Wing Safety, this does not mean more emphasis is put on safety during the summer months, it just that Air Force history shows about 45 percent of the yearly fatalities occur during this time frame. 

This year the Air Force will join the other branches of the military for a joint services summer campaign, "Live to Play, Play to Live." The safety office will work to support commanders and supervisors to promote the summer campaign through publicity, education and awareness programs, Mr. Bruce said. 

"Efforts begin today with a 56th FW Safety day to kick off the critical days of summer campaign on base," he said. "Brig. Gen. Kurt Neubauer, 56th FW commander, will share his vision for the critical days of summer and squadron personnel will work through a discussion guide that will highlight risk management techniques and share real life events lessons learned." 

Throughout the summer the safety office will highlight safety concerns each week. These include motorcycle and vehicle safety, summer heat and travel safety. Other concerns like water safety, bicycling and barbecue safety will also be addressed. 

Everyone must take an active role in preventing mishaps especially in the off duty arena, Mr. Bruce noted. 

"Make no mistake about it, the goal is zero fatal mishaps," he said. "We understand the potential is always there for more mishaps during the summer due to increased outdoor and leisure activities. However, we cannot become complacent from a safety perspective; it can be dangerous when assuming too much risk or when poor decisions are made - remember it boils down to personal responsibility." 

Courtesy of the 56th Fighter Wing Safety