FORT KNOX, Kentucky (May 11, 2015) - U.S. Army Human Resources Command hosted agencies from on and off post for its Safety Stand Down Day May 6 in the quadrangle of the Lt. Gen. Timothy L. Maude Complex.
Jerry Mraz, the deputy chief of staff for personnel and logistics at HRC opened the ceremony.
"We're all going to go out there and engage in exciting outdoor activities -- boating, cycling, camping, fishing -- and we're going to do some of the mundane stuff like work around the house and mow the yard," said Mraz. "Whether we're engaged in those high-adventure fun things or the boring things. We have to be conscious of the safety risks that can occur if we're not paying attention."
Thousands of HRC employees took advantage of the opportunity to stroll among the many tents and displays to help prepare for a fun and safe summer.
One of the biggest areas of concern for Soldiers and Army civilians is the increase in fatal motorcycle accidents every spring. According to the Army's safety website, 34 Soldiers were killed while riding their motorcycles in fiscal year 2014. Those 34 deaths represent approximately 43 percent of all private motor vehicle fatalities that year.
The Army's motorcycle safety campaign, 'Ready or Not?', acknowledges Soldiers and civilian will take advantage of the warm weather and off-duty time to motorcycle. Therefore, leaders at all levels need to ensure their employees are equipped to make smart and safe decisions.
To that end, HRC motorcycle mentor Master Sgt. Deanna Czarnecki and her team set up station to educate riders on the personal protective equipment required to ride on post and invite enthusiasts to the HRC motorcycle ride the group held the following day.
To learn more about HRC's motorcycle mentorship program, call (502) 624-3141.
Rachel Gilman took some time away from her job as HRC's voting action officer to visit the displays and said she liked the snake the rangers from the Army Corps of Engineers had at their table.
"We bring the snake out to attract people to come up and talk to us," said Adam Vanzant, a Rough River Lake park ranger from the Corps of Engineers. "People either love snakes or hate them, there is no in between. Either way, it gives us the opportunity to talk to them about some things to keep in mind to stay safe this summer."
One of the dangers that come with the summer season is the increase in the rate of water sport accidents and accidental drownings.
If a person does not know how to swim, they absolutely must have a life jacket on if they are in the water, Vanzant said. Additionally, when boating, everyone must have a proper-fitting life jacket to stay safe and avoid a citation.
"Another huge factor is a lot of people go to the lake to drink," Vanzant said. "It really impairs you a whole lot more."
He said a good rule of thumb is to consider each alcoholic beverage consumer in or on the water to equal three on land.
"You're in the sun constantly. So you're obviously dehydrated a lot. Combined with the rocking of the boat, and constant motion with it, it makes you feel more impaired," he said. "So alcohol really affects you a lot faster than if you were on land."
For more tips on how to keep you and your family safe this summer go to, safety.army.mil.
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