HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. -- The 66th Air Base Group Safety Office encourages the community here to practice risk management while participating in activities this summer.
Managing risk is a philosophy that applies on and off duty. When a hazard has been identified, personnel should consider the likelihood of a mishap occurring and its potential severity.
“Planning ahead is an important step in the risk management process,” said Master Sgt. Henrie Young, 66 ABG occupational safety superintendent. “Effective planning prior to participating in summer activities will help prevent surprises that may lead to injury.”
Officials encourage all members of the Hanscom community to keep water safety a top priority while visiting beaches or lakes this summer.
“Always swim with a buddy and in areas supervised by lifeguards,” said Young. “Never leave young children unattended near water, and have inexperienced swimmers wear life jackets.”
Safety officials also remind personnel to stay hydrated when outdoors. In addition, they recommend using sunscreen and protective clothing to avoid prolonged sun exposure.
“If you think you have heat exhaustion, get out of the heat and go rest inside a building with air-conditioning or a shaded area if available,” said Tech. Sgt. Scott Sanderson, 66th Air Base Group occupational safety technician. “If symptoms persist, contact medical professionals.”
Other concerns that can lead to injury include exhaustion, distracted driving and alcohol.
“Individuals should not allow fatigue or alcohol to erode their ability to practice risk management,” said Sanderson. “If you drink or find yourself in a fatigued state, don’t drive.”
For more summer safety tips, contact the Base Safety Office at 781-225-5584, or visit the National Safety Council website at https://www.nsc.org/home-safety/tools-resources/seasonal-safety/summer.
