Safety First

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Leah Ferrante
  • 49th Wing Public Affairs
HOLLOMAN AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. --  It's that wonderful time of year again, days full of activities, sunshine, family and friends. We celebrate holidays, have picnics or lay-out by the pool. However, as we gear up for the days to come, it's important to remember our biggest responsibility this summer- safety first.

As the first month of summer passes it's easy to forget everything we need to know to have a safe successful summer. Here are a few tips from Master Sgt. Andres Lacuesta, 49th Medical Group superintendant, to keep us and our families safe this summer.

"To me, summer safety means taking the necessary precautions with everything we do and not cutting corners. Although it should be a time of relaxation, unwinding and building memories, it is unfortunately the time of year where the majority of our accidents happen because we are mentally fatigued or compromised, " said Lacuesta.

The best part of summer is the endless outdoors activities. Being in the state of New Mexico almost always means high temperatures and a blazing sun. Remember to hydrate appropriately, wear proper eye protection, and, last but not least, apply excessive amounts of sunscreen.

"Coming from a medical perspective, sunscreen is an absolutely essential part of our party planning," Lacuesta said. "We may kid around and laugh about getting a sunburn. We may even turn red as a lobster but the true impact of overexposure without protection cannot be understated."

"The long term results of excessive exposure could ultimately be "The Big C" [Cancer] and I'm not talking about the Zodiac sign. Even those of us with darker skin may still succumb to the devastating effects of the sun. WEAR IT!"

For the daredevils out there, be prepared when participating in high risk activities. Know what you can and cannot handle, and always check with the appropriate supervision beforehand. It's exciting to try new things, but don't take on more than you can handle.

Lastly, the most important safety tip of all, do not drink and drive.

"The solution to this problem is extremely simple, PLAN AHEAD!" said Lacuesta. "If you know that you are going to begin the night indulging in alcohol, then why not plan on how you are going to end the night?"

"Always have a plan. If your plans fall through, don't risk it, you can still call 572-RIDE, which would not only ensure your safety but the safety of those on the road and the safety of your career."

With plenty of summer left, let's remember the most important thing, keeping ourselves and our families safe. Keep in mind these simple safety tips and briefings during your everyday activities.

"Remember, there is nothing so important that it cannot be done safely," said Lacuesta.