Accidents can happen anywhere and at any time. As the days get longer, and the weather gets warmer families are spending more time participating in outdoor activities which can lead to accidents.
To help prevent those slips, trips and falls that can spoil a summer, the Soldiers and families of the 1st Battalion, 214th Aviation Regiment participated in a Safety Stand Down day at the U.S. Army Garrison Wiesbaden airfield April 7.
"Safety is a mindset that is ever-present both on and off duty. Most accidents are preventable. Prevention begins with education," said Maj. Andrew Evans, one of the organizers of the event.
The hands-on accident prevention training took place outside of the classroom engaging both Soldiers and family at five different activity stations.
Participants learned how to safely, and correctly use different fire extinguishers from Fire inspector Ed Cobey. To avoid getting your shoes wet, never spray a fire extinguisher against the wind, he said.
At other stations, subject matter experts demonstrated the effects and dangers of alcohol and drugs. To simulate being intoxicated, Soldiers donned specially prepared eye glasses or "beer goggles" and attempted to hit a target with a ball.
Representatives with the German Polizei also participated in the event and explained ways to make your home safer. The most common question we are asked is about owning a firearm in Germany, which is different than in the United States, said German Polizei representative Birthe Fink, with the 4th Polizei precinct, Wiesbaden.
Participants also looked at ways the Army keeps Soldiers safe. Staff Sgt. Casey Clevenger and Sgt. Alejandro Arredondo, medevac crewmembers, invited children and parents to board a Black Hawk Medical helicopter to learn how aviation medics save lives in combat. The demonstration showed that anyone can help save a person's life by applying basic cardiopulmonary resuscitation or CPR.
Only a few feet away, Chief Warrant Officer 2 Steven Larmay encouraged volunteers to climb inside an Apache helicopter to get a glimpse of his work space.
The day ended with a demonstration from of the 525th Military Working Dog detachment showing that accident prevention can be incorporated in all we do, and even our canine companions need regular safety training to stay sharp.
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