Post safety fair is May 20

By Kristin Molinaro, The BayonetMay 6, 2010

Brett Cole
Cole lost his right arm in an accident in 2007. A speeding sport utility vehicle struck Cole while he was out riding his sport bike. Cole later learned the driver had a suspended license at the time. After intense rehabilitation, Cole was back on hi... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORT BENNING, Ga. - Don't wait for disaster to strike, prepare now to keep your family safe.

A Post Safety and Health Awareness Day will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. May 20 at Stillwell Field. The event will include demonstrations, giveaways, safety presentations and an autograph session with professional sport bike racer Brett Cole. The awareness day is presented by the Maneuver Center's safety office, DENTAC, MEDDAC and other post organizations.

The event kicks off the safety office's 101 Days of Summer safety campaign, which runs from Memorial Day to Labor Day. This year, the office wanted to kick it off early to get people thinking about water safety and heat injury prevention before the four-day holiday, said Debbie Gutierrez, the Maneuver Center's safety and health occupational specialist.

"Heat is the biggest concern this time of year," Gutierrez said. "Kids don't usually tell you when they're hot and they don't drink enough water. We want everyone to be safe this summer while having fun at the same time - but it's also important to be aware of the dangers."

Representatives from organizations on post and the tricommunity will be on hand to teach families how to stay safe, whether they are planning a cross-country road trip or a local boat ride.

Among the activities, the Coast Guard Auxiliary will give free boat inspections and there will be a child safety seat inspection station. The post's fire department will bring out the smoke house to teach families how to evacuate a home in the event of a fire. Families will get information on hearing protection, drug prevention, the American Red Cross, Operation Life Saver, Ready Army disaster preparation and the Don't be That Guy campaign. There will also be a drunken driving simulator where participants must navigate a maze while driving a golf cart and wearing "drunk goggles."

Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s No. 88 NASCAR National Guard car will be on display, Gutierrez said.