Photo By Tech. Sgt. Aaron Jenne | Whether you plan to travel or stay at home this holiday season, 4th Fighter Wing...... read more read more
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SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. - It’s the holiday season, and whether you plan to travel or stay home, remember to think about safety.
Changing seasons often bring changes in weather, fewer hours of daylight and participation in different activities.
“It’s good to remind people about safety”, said Eric Harper, 4th Civil Engineer Squadron fire emergency services lead fire inspector. “As changes occur, we need to consider how these changes affect our safety.”
Some holiday traditions include decorating a tree with lights. If you choose a live tree, water it daily. Be cautious about decorative lights, which put off heat and can dry the needles quickly, creating a potential fire risk.
“We recommend people turn their lights off at night when they are asleep,” Harper said. “Using a timer for your decorations, set to turn on in the evening and turn off when you go to bed, is a good way to limit your risk of fire.”
Like other decorations, candles can also be a hazard during the holidays.
“Candles are festive and they smell nice, but make sure they are in a well ventilated area,” Harper said. “If they aren’t in an area where you can monitor them, blow them out.”
Another risk is extension cords, which need to be inspected before use. Exposed wires and broken ground prongs can cause sparks and lead to fires. Know the gauge of your extension chord and how many amps it can pass, and don’t expect it to do more work than it’s intended for, Harper said.
Keeping your house warm can become more difficult as the temperatures plummets. Oil based heaters produce toxic fumes, need to be used in well ventilated areas, and should be turned off when you sleep. Electric heater fans approved by Underwriters Laboratories Inc. (UL) or Factory Mutual Research Corporation (FM) have gone through testing and are deemed safe. They have a tip over switch, which turns them off if they are knocked over.
Safety isn’t only an in-home concern, it must also be considered on the road.
“More people are on the road due to the holiday season,” said Convers, 4th FW safety technician. “Individuals must maintain their vehicles and ensure they are mentally and physically prepared to travel.”
According to Convers, drivers should plan their trip ahead of time and be prepared for weather, delays, construction and changing driving conditions.
From Nov. 1 through Jan. 7, of 2012, the Air Force had seven vehicle-related fatalities and 105 mishaps, which totaled more than 1,350 lost days due to injuries, Convers said. Within the 4th FW, there were five serious vehicle mishaps, which resulted in 45 lost work days. A large percentage of these mishaps were caused from loss of traction, over-correction, and distracted driving.
“Many of you will travel in the coming weeks,” said Chief Master Sgt. Jeffrey Craver, 4th FW command chief. “Keep in mind, there’s going to be almost 40 million motorists on the road, and the airports will be extremely busy as well. Whether you’re driving, flying or hitching a ride on Santa’s sleigh, there is a possibility of encountering bad winter weather conditions. Be proactive and look at the forecasted weather en route to your destination. If delays or complications arise when traveling, remain flexible and keep your leadership informed.”
Convers also reminds everyone to be safe during the holidays. Have a plan and don’t become a statistic.
| Date Taken: | 12.16.2013 |
| Date Posted: | 12.17.2013 09:41 |
| Story ID: | 118313 |
| Location: | SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, NORTH CAROLINA, US |
| Web Views: | 71 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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