Straight Talk: Safe 'n Sound - All Year Round

  • Published
  • By Col. Lester A. Weilacher
  • 66th Air Base Group commander
HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. --  Team Hanscom - On Sept. 2, our nation will celebrate Labor Day as a way to pay tribute to all of our citizens who have worked so hard to create and sustain this great country. Our nation's strength, freedom and prosperity would be impossible without the dedication and tireless efforts of the American worker.

As the summer draws to a close, I want to thank you for your professionalism, proficiency and dedication for the multitude of events that highlighted this year - to include enduring furloughs. Your efforts each and every day provide critical warfighting capabilities to our country 24/7 and epitomize secure, support and sustain.

The "2013 Critical Days of Summer" are coming to an end this weekend and Team Hanscom has proved once again that personal risk management, situational awareness and adherence to safety policies were the keys to a safe summer. I'm asking you to please continue this behavior to ensure the safety of all Team Hanscom members.

Unfortunately, motor vehicle and motorcycle mishaps accounted for 13 of the 17 total fatalities across the Air Force since May. As mentioned above, the last holiday weekend of the Critical Days of Summer starts this Friday and is often the worst of the summer weekends. Highways and roadways remain the threat environment, and alcohol is the factor that compounds risk to unacceptable levels.

I challenge you to stay engaged over this upcoming weekend, and throughout the rest of the year, by incorporating risk management skills into all that you do -- at work, at play and at home.

As always, limit distractions in vehicles while traveling, especially in cars equipped with electronic devices, such as cell phones, video games and global positioning systems. Also, buckle up and use age-appropriate safety car seats.

Plan your travel and obey all local laws. Don't drink and drive.

School will be back in session and that means children will be walking to and from school and buses will be back on the roadways. Please stay vigilant while driving and look out for children crossing streets and loading and unloading from buses. Fall means reduced hours of daylight. This brings new hazards to our daily commute that are not normally encountered during the summertime.

This Labor Day, take time to reflect on all the hard work we have done to make our country great. Have fun and be safe. Team Hanscom needs you!