'Safety first' remains essential for Thanksgiving activities Published Nov. 19, 2010 By Master Sgt. Roderick George 99th Air Base Wing Safety Office NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. -- Thanksgiving is just around the corner which means travel, crowds, eating, family, and more eating. Thanksgiving is the busiest travel period of the year and millions of travelers are about to hit the road, traveling to see family and friends for the long weekend. Last year during Thanksgiving weekend, the Air Force only experienced one fatality, but unfortunately that member was stationed at Nellis. On Nov. 27, 2009, a staff sergeant assigned to the 757 Aircraft Maintenance Squadron was traveling east on Craig Road on his motorcycle when he was rear-ended by a drunk driver traveling at approximately 102 mph. It is important to remember that Las Vegas is a 24-hour tourist destination and the number of drivers under the influence of drugs and alcohol will increase during the holiday weekend. Thanksgiving is a great opportunity to spend quality time with family and friends, so continue to be a good wingman and think safety first! The following tips will help make traveling during the Thanksgiving holiday safer for everyone: · Have a qualified mechanic check all the car's vitals: brakes, battery, fluid levels, tire pressure, light bulbs and any parts that need regular maintenance. · As with all long-distance winter road trips, it's wise to bring emergency equipment, such as a first-aid kit, flashlight, blankets, drinking water and snacks, along with flares and jumper cables. · Allow plenty of time for the drive. The roads are busiest on the days right before and after the major holidays. If possible, take an extra day off to reduce the chances of being lodged in a traffic jam. · Once on the road, drive carefully, patiently and repress any impulses of road rage. Try not to view other cars and traffic signals as personal obstacles. Work with your fellow drivers and not against them. Indicate during lane changes and give everyone plenty of room. · Overall, try to make driving fun, and view it as part of the holiday, not as a chore. If traveling with children, get everyone involved by singing or reminiscing about favorite past holidays. The ride will be over before you know it, and you'll actually look forward to the drive back home. It is not only important to be safe while traveling, but also while preparing meals for the holiday. Thanksgiving Day is the leading day for cooking fires, and according to the U.S. Fire Administration, more the average daily amount than doubles. In fact, each year more than 4,000 fires occur on Thanksgiving Day. Incorporating fire safety into your holiday preparations can mean the difference between putting on a fantastic holiday feast for family and friends and having to notify the fire department to put out a fire. When cooking, keep young children away from the kitchen. Do not wear loose sleeves or dangling jewelry to avoid spills and burns. Cook on back burners when possible and turn pot handles in to prevent accidental spills. Never leave cooking unattended and keep clutter away from sources of direct heat. If decorating with candles, never leave them burning in an unattended room. To help prevent home fires this Thanksgiving, the Red Cross suggests the following tips: · Keep potholders and food wrappers at least three feet away from heat sources while cooking. · Wear tighter fitting clothing with shorter sleeves when cooking. · Make sure all stoves, ovens and ranges have been turned off when you leave the kitchen. · Set timers to keep track of turkeys and other food items that require extended cooking times. · Turn handles of pots and pans on the stove inward to avoid accidents. · Follow all manufacturer guidelines regarding the appropriate use of appliances. · After guests leave, designate a responsible adult to walk around the home making sure that all candles and smoking materials are extinguished.
