Critical Days of Summer campaign begins Published June 7, 2010 By Bill Kornafel 377th Air Base Wing Safety Kirtland Air Force Base, NM -- It's that time of year again, when everyone is thinking about recreational activities, outings, picnics, camping, boating, swimming, barbecues, vacations and more. How many of us think about safety or Operational Risk Management? I venture to say not many. After all, summer is the time of year we all want to have "fun," right? Think about this: how much fun is it to spend the day in the emergency room or attend a friend or relative's funeral? This is the time of year when we lose many of our Airmen to senseless acts, such as drinking and driving, poor trip planning or overextending ourselves beyond our limits. Consider ORM when planning any of the following activities: Motorcycle or vehicle road trips; fireworks; barbecue; sports and recreation; water sports, and all others. Always use personal protective equipment when called for. Also be aware that New Mexico's law enforcement agencies will be starting the campaign of 100 Days and Nights of Summer. At roadblocks, they will check to ensure operators are licensed and vehicles have proper documentation. Officers will check for DWIs, DUIs and seatbelt use. In 2009, they issued 300,000 citations during the campaign. According to Air Force Safety Center officials, the Air Force places great emphasis on the safety of Airmen and their families, especially through the Critical Days of Summer which begins May 28 and ends Sept. 7. During the last three campaigns, the Air Force lost an average of 19 Airmen, and last year experienced 21 fatal mishaps. Thirteen of these accidents were PMV-4, off-duty fatalities. Alcohol was involved in 33 percent of these incidents. During the past 10 years, the Air Force lost an average of 24 Airmen per year during the summer months. While we have made some slight improvement during the past few years, we are far from our goal of zero preventable fatal mishaps. It takes each of us to save lives, and we have a responsibility to teach, mentor, and provide the right message for everyone from children to adults to make a difference. This year's campaign urges everyone to: Live to Play, Play to Live!