Skip to main content (Press Enter).
 News
    
        Photos

    Week in Photos

    Air Force TV

    Commentaries

    Features

    Art

    About Us
    
        Air Force Senior Leaders
    
        SECAF

    CSAF

    CMSAF

    Biographies

    Fact Sheets

    SECAF Reading List

    CSAF Leadership Library
    
        CSAF Leadership Library 2022

    CSAF Leadership Library 2021

    CSAF Reading List Pre-2020 Archive
    
        2018 CSAF Reading List

    2017 CSAF Reading List

    2016 CSAF Reading List

    CSAF Leadership Library 2023

    CMSAF Leadership Library

    50 Years of the CMSAF

    Adjunct Professors

    Air Force Strategic Documents

    Arctic Strategy

    Empowered Airmen

    State Licensure Portability

    Careers

    AF Federal Advisory Committees

    AF 75th Anniversary

    Policy Updates

    AF Content Management

    Contact Us

    AF Sites
    
        Site RegistrationU.S. Air Force LogoAir Force

        Policy UpdatesNewsroomReoptimizationBIOGRAPHIESAF Senior Leaders      101 Critical Days of Summer LogoDefend the human weapon system and practice off-duty risk management during the 101 Critical Days of Summer Campaign. If you see something, do something...live to be lethal! (U.S. Air Force graphic by Lisa Gonzales)
                
                Photo Details /
                        Download Hi-Res
        


        101 Critical Days of SummerDefend the human weapon system and practice off-duty risk management during the 101 Critical Days of Summer Campaign. If you see something, do something...live to be lethal! (U.S. Air Force graphic by Lisa Gonzales)
                
                Photo Details /
                        Download Hi-Res
        


        101 Critical Days of Summer LogoDefend the human weapon system and practice off-duty risk management during the 101 Critical Days of Summer Campaign. If you see something, do something...live to be lethal! (U.S. Air Force graphic by Lisa Gonzales)
                
                Photo Details /
                        Download Hi-Res
        


        101 Critical Days of Summer LogoDefend the human weapon system and practice off-duty risk management during the 101 Critical Days of Summer Campaign. If you see something, do something...live to be lethal! (U.S. Air Force graphic by Lisa Gonzales)
                
                Photo Details /
                        Download Hi-Res

101 Critical Days of Summer defending the human weapon systemPublished May 29, 2023
                    
                    By Lisa Gonzales
                    
                    
                    Air Force Safety Center
            **KIRTLAND AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. (AFNS) --**The 101 Critical Days of Summer begins Memorial Day weekend and continues through Labor Day weekend. During this timeframe, Airmen and Guardians tend to participate in more outdoor activities, travel, barbeque, and explore new things over a season that has historically come with a higher risk of danger.101 Critical Days of Summer Logo
            
            
            Photo Details /
                Download Hi-Res

    










**Air Force Safety Center** is reinvigorating the 101 Critical Days of Summer with off-duty risk management materials created to educate Airmen and Guardians on the risks associated with summer activities. This year’s theme will be “See Something, Do Something ... Live to be Lethal”.

Risk management isn’t only for on-duty but belongs in people’s daily lives to defend the Human Weapon System, the Airmen, from unnecessary threats that could result in injury or even death.

Reaching the goal of zero mishaps and fatalities begins with every Airman and Guardian. Over the past ten summers, 2013-2022, beginning the Friday before Memorial Day through Labor Day, there have been 134 unnecessary fatalities off duty. The top three riskiest activities were four-wheeled motor vehicles (47), followed by motorcycles (41), and water-related activities & sports (19). One Airman or Guardian lost to a preventable mishap is one too many.

Additionally, a new trend shows a growing number of e-bike and e-scooter mishaps. E-scooters and e-bikes provide a convenient and easy way of getting around in a crowded city, they are compact, lightweight, and environmentally friendly, but they can also be dangerous if not used with the proper training and the right personal protective equipment. Just like any motorized vehicle, you should always follow the manufacturer’s safety guidelines when it comes to use and PPE.

Summer is a time to enjoy the warm summer days with family and friends, not spend time in the emergency room or, worse, mourning the loss of a loved one, friend, or co-worker. It is a time to be committed to reducing the chance of disaster simply by speaking up before it happens.

According to the National Safety Council, an average of 17,503 people died every summer between 2016 and 2020 on roadways across the U.S. Don’t be one of those statistics; prepare for your trip by getting your vehicle checked out, plan ahead to combat inclement weather and fatigue, and ensure that an emergency kit is included with your bags stocked with vehicle supplies, extra water, food, batteries, and a phone charger.

Motorcycle riders should be 100% trained, prepared, and equipped with the required skills and proactive mindset to ride safely. Unfortunately, in the first four months of FY23 alone, the Department of the Air Force experienced seven motorcycle fatalities. The leading cause of those fatalities pointed to the lack of risk management, speeding and alcohol.

“Enjoy your summer, but do it responsibly,” said William Walkowiak, chief of Occupational Safety for the DAF. “I challenge each of you to make a risk assessment before participating in summer activities to prevent or mitigate injuries or deaths.”

The **World Health Organizations** states that drowning is the third leading cause of unintentional injury-related death worldwide.

Water activities like boating, fishing, and swimming can cool a person off, but one wrong decision could mean injury or death. So remember to use a life jacket around the water, don’t drink and boat or swim, always keep an eye on small children, and make sure they have life jackets on.

The summer days can become extremely hot, and heat cramps, stroke, or exhaustion can happen quickly. Be prepared to help someone in trouble. Get them out of the sun and cool them down by applying water, cool air, wet sheets, or ice on the neck, groin, or armpits. Seek medical attention immediately.

Stay hydrated this summer; the **Centers for Disease Control and Prevention** states that an average adult loses about two and a half quarts of water daily. Water helps your body lubricate and cushion joints, protects your spinal cord and other sensitive tissues, and gets rid of wastes through urination, perspiration, and bowel movements. Drinking approximately eight to twelve glasses of water throughout the day will help the body stay hydrated. If you plan to be outside in the sun, consider drinking more. Dehydration can happen before you know it; if out in the sun, know the signs, headaches, nausea, dry skin, and muscle or joint soreness are just a few.

It is imperative that Airmen and Guardians implement proper off-duty risk management in every activity they engage in during the 101 Critical Days of Summer and beyond.

Go to the Air Force Safety Center’s summer webpage for more tips at **https://www.safety.af.mil/Divisions/Occupational-Safety-Division/Summer-Safety/**.FS 



USAF 



AF 



Air Force 



Air Force Safety Center 



Airmen 



guardians 



safety 



101 critical days of summer. risk management 



Human Weapon System 



See something do something 



live to be lethal 



WHO 



CDC Featured News
        Senior Leader Priorities
                DAF leaders talk budget, reoptimizing the force
                    
                    DAF leaders speak at National Character and Leadership Symposium
                    
                    DAF members recognized during BEYA STEM awards
                    
                    DAF senior enlisted advisors discuss Airmen, Guardians in the fight
                    
                    SecAF Kendall AFA Warfare Symposium Q&A: Reoptimizing for Great Power CompetitionInnovation
                AFWERX director discusses role of tech startups, quick innovation in Great Power Competition
                    
                    DAF delivers lethality at the speed of data during Project Convergence Capstone 4
                    
                    DAF welcomes industry partners to HQ development program
                    
                    DAF announces Spark Tank 2024 finalists
                    
                    Chief Digital, Artificial Intelligence Office to host hackathon in HawaiiMAJCOM News
                Safety enterprise announces new mission, vision, goals in 2024 strategic plan
                    
                    Air Combat Command welcomes new commander
                    
                    USAFE-AFAFRICA commander discusses Integrated Air, Missile Defense during Munich Security Conference
                    
                    Flosi to AFMC family: Embrace change, make every day count
                    
                    AMC rises to increasing global tension
 Quick Links
AccessibilityContact UsEqual OpportunityFOIA | Privacy | Section 508Information QualityInspector GeneralJAG Court-Martial DocketLink DisclaimerNo FEAR ActOpen GovernmentOSI Tip LinePlain LanguageQuestionsResilienceRSSSite MapVeterans Crisis LineCareers
Join the Air ForceAir Force BenefitsAir Force CareersAir Force ReserveAir National GuardCivilian ServiceConnect
            Get Social with Us
            
            Official United States Air Force Website
    Hosted by Defense Media Activity - WEB.mil