CANNON AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. -- It doesn’t take much time to realize summer has struck New Mexico: high temperatures, a lot of sun, school is out, cow farms stinking just a little bit more than usual. Around Cannon AFB, Clovis and Portales, N.M., more people will be out and about playing sports, grilling out or even splashing in a pool somewhere.
Yet, as much fun as it all sounds, an increase in activity leads to the increased chance of safety being compromised. Burns, traffic accidents and more are some of the most common safety hazards in the country during the summer.
But they are preventable. At least according to Master Sgt. Adam Lease, 27th Special Operations Wing occupational safety.
“The challenge of ensuring personnel conduct activities in a safe manner off-duty is not a lack of education, but a lack of application at the time of execution,” Lease said.
To summarize, it’s not the lack of knowledge amongst those in the community, but rather the lack of using it in day-to-day activities, such as improper use of fireworks or a lack of protective gear as they’re on a bike.
“Bottom line; improper real-time assessments are almost always the cause of off-duty mishaps, and the best way units can increase this skillset with its personnel is to perform the highest feasible level of risk assessments on-duty,” Lease said. “This practice will hopefully transition into personal lifestyles and in turn, prevent mishaps.”
In particular with this area, heat exhaustion and sunburns can occur quickly. Drinking plenty of water and wearing sunscreen will help, but shouldn’t be the only preventative measure.
“Consider taking breaks in shaded areas to minimize exposure to harmful ultraviolet rays,” Lease said.
It’s also very important to remind ourselves that summer means more kids out and about. When driving, be careful to check all directions for pedestrians that may not be taller than your vehicle’s hood.
All the advice and tips given here aren’t meant to dampen summer fun, but rather make sure more can continue to enjoy the thrill of the hottest and busiest season of the year.
“This summer will be amazing, and with a little extra time and care devoted to off-duty activities, it will be a safe one, too,” Lease said.
If you have any questions regarding safety, regardless of what season you’re in, reach out to your unit safety representative to learn how to combat preventable mishaps.