Holiday safety a top priority Published June 30, 2010 By Micah Garbarino Editor TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- During the Fourth of July holiday, families and neighborhoods gather to enjoy each other's company. Swimming and barbecues mix with sparklers and fireworks, but along with the fun of these shared holiday festivities come some safety risks. Those risks have base leadership, safety and emergency personnel at Tinker Air Force Base cautioning the members of Team Tinker to set boundaries and celebrate a safe holiday. "Like you, I'm looking forward to the Fourth of July holiday weekend which starts on Friday. What this means to most of us is that we'll be able to take a break from work and share time with our families and friends for some much deserved fun and relaxation. Because this holiday is the beginning of summer, we'll attend numerous outdoor activities and events -- barbecuing, swimming, hiking, boating, motorcycle or ATV riding. In each case, these activities and the travel that is associated with them, all present some form of risk. No matter what activity you choose, please remember to plan ahead, be careful and always use proper operational and personal risk management," said Col. Bob LaBrutta, 72nd Air Base Wing commander. "In the past, we've had a pretty average safety record for this time of year as a command. We're looking for people to improve on their risk management on and off the job," said Steve Serrette, safety manager with the 72nd Air Base Wing Safety office. The first week in July is typically the deadliest of the summer and road accidents involving fatigue, speed, distraction, alcohol and lack of seat belt use make up a big chunk of that risk, the announcement said. "People like to get together with family for this holiday, and that usually involves driving out to a barbecue, and some people will drink," said Mr. Serrette. Even if celebrants don't plan on drinking, there are plenty of others who are, and there is an increased amount of traffic on the roads. Holiday-goers should practice good defensive driving at all times, but have a higher sense of awareness around the holidays, Mr. Serrette said. Along with dangerous roads, the main areas of concern surrounding the Fourth of July are, use of fireworks, grilling and water sports. Fireworks are traditionally the center of this holiday, but they can also pose a huge risk. People lose fingers and eyes and end up in emergency rooms all across the country. "I watched an interview with a man whose three-year-old son was instantly killed by fireworks at a neighborhood display. He was sitting right in between his legs," said Scott Bloxham, assistant chief of fire prevention with 72nd ABW Fire and Emergency Services. "It was a legal, consumer grade firework that tipped over and flew 40 feet, striking him in the head." It is because of accidents like these that safety experts urge fireworks fans to leave the displays up to those people who are paid professionals and attend one of the many shows in the surrounding communities. No fireworks are allowed on Tinker AFB. "The best rule of thumb is to not use fireworks. Some of the ones that seem safe can be dangerous. So many kids are set loose with sparklers, I know I was, but those things can catch a child's clothes on fire," Mr. Bloxham said. "We hate to see kids getting hurt." Fire also comes into play during another popular holiday activity, grilling. "You should always check the grilling equipment you're using before you start and make sure that you have some type of fire suppressant nearby -- water, sand or an extinguisher," said Mr. Bloxham. "Cooks should never leave their grill unattended." It is very important to ensure that all grilling equipment is clean of grease, not rusted or falling apart and that gas grills also have the hoses properly attached to well maintained tanks. "There is a lot more driving vehicles under the influence -- that is watercraft and off-road vehicles as well -- around this time of year." Water sports such as swimming and boating are other areas that don't mix well with alcohol. There are several alcohol/water related deaths every year across the country. Besides refraining from alcohol, swimmers should also always swim with a buddy and know their own limits. "Safety makes for a good holiday. No one wants to spend the holiday in an emergency room," Mr. Bloxham said. "Every member of Team Tinker is too valuable to allow a lack of judgment to turn a wonderful weekend opportunity into a tragedy. So, let's enjoy ourselves but let's also ensure we put safety first so that we can return to work refreshed and ready to continue executing the critical missions our Air Force and nation needs us to perform," Colonel LaBrutta said.