ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, Md. -- "As we take time to remember and honor the faithful service of every American who has made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our nation, I encourage everyone to celebrate safely without undue risk," said Maj. Gen. Robert S. Ferrell, APG installation commander.
Memorial Day weekend marks the start of the summer season and with that, so do the outdoor fun, travel and Family vacations, among other activities.
Historically, off-duty fatality rates involving Soldiers inevitably increases from April to September, according to the U.S. Army Combat Readiness/Safety Center.
"Fun can come with a tragic price, however, as these next few months are historically the deadliest time of year for Soldiers off-duty," said Brig. Gen. William Wolf, U.S. Army Combat Readiness/Safety Center commanding general and director of Army Safety. "Accidents in privately owned vehicles, privately owned motorcycles and personal watercraft pose the greatest risk, and we must all remain vigilant for ourselves and each other."
The U.S. Army Combat Readiness/Safety Center encourages installation community members to 'play it safe' this summer. The Center reports 31 privately-owned vehicles off-duty fatalities involving Soldiers during the period of Memorial Day through Labor Day last year. Fourteen of those fatalities involved alcohol.
Ferrell asks the APG community to stay vigilant in observing safety practices during the summer months and asks leaders to engage with their workforce about safe behaviors to avoid mishaps.
"As you travel this summer, be mindful of wearing your seatbelts and take the hazards of drinking and driving seriously," said Ferrell. "Drinking and driving is avoidable, bottom line."
The APG Installation Safety Office emphasizes the importance of designating a sober driver as the summer festivities continue. In the state of Maryland, a driver can be charged with 'under the influence of alcohol' if they are driving with a blood alcohol concentration of more than 0.08. However, Maryland also has a lesser offense of "driving while impaired," that does not have a pre-set legal limit benchmark, but is established after the officer has determined whether you are impaired, regardless of whether the driver is under the BAC legal limit of 0.08.
"Drinking and driving is NEVER a good idea," said Bill Alcarese, acting director, APG ISO.
During the months between Memorial Day and Labor Day, there is an unusual spike in vehicle and recreational accidents among the Soldier population, many of which could have been avoided, according to Army safety officials.
Among those avoidable accidents are incidents involving texting while driving. "We caution personnel against texting while driving as it is unsafe and illegal in Maryland," said Alcarese.
The Maryland Senate and House passed bills to prohibit the use of cell phone while driving to include using a text messaging device to write or send text messages while operating a motor vehicle or in the travel portion of the roadway, according to the Maryland (Senate Bill 98 and House Bill 72). The law is even more stringent for minor drivers.
As summer approaches, the APG ISO asks members of the APG community, and their families, to be aware of the summer hazards both at home and at work, said Alcarese.
"Our Army will also recognize National Safety Month beginning June 1, so be sure to visit https://safety.army.mil/NSM2012 for unique materials focused on Civilian injury prevention, ground operations, aviation operations and driving safety," said Wolf.
Summer is here, so that means the grills are out, water sports are back, and celebrations. Memorial Day kicks off the barbeque and picnic season. Please remember the following tips during the holiday weekend.
BBQ: Summer fun is not complete without summer food favorites. When using a gas or charcoal grill, one must practice safety guidelines to protect themselves and their Families.
• Choose a safe grilling location away from children's play areas and heavy traffic areas.
• Grill in a well-ventilated area to avoid carbon monoxide fumes. Never grill inside, or in a semi-enclosed area like a tent or camper. Choose a flat stable platform space for the grill.
• NEVER MOVE a hot grill.
• Never leave a grill unattended.
Food Safety:
• Avoid cross-contamination. This occurs when bacteria from one food item are transferred to another, usually by way of unwashed cutting boards, countertops, hands, knives, etc.
• Clean everything. As an extra precaution, use anti-bacterial dishwashing liquid and wipe surfaces with ½ teaspoon of household bleach in one liter of water.
• Cook food thoroughly. Use a meat thermometer to measure the internal temperature of cooked meat and poultry to make sure meat is cooked all the way through. There should be no blood, juices from meat should run clear when cooked completely. Ground beef should be grey when done, not pink. This could cause serious illness.
• Keep food cold to slow growth of micro-organisms. Refrigerators should be 4°C/40°F or below. Freezers should be at 18°C/0°F.
For more information about the APG ISO visit, http://www.apg.army.mil/apghome/sites/installation/iso/motorcylesclasses.html
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