Robins kicks off 101 Critical Days of Summer safety campaign Published May 27, 2010 By Wayne Crenshaw 78 ABW/PA ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. -- Friday is a critical day for the Air Force, and so are the 100 days that will follow. That's the time of the annual 101 Critical Days of Summer safety campaign, which this year will run through Sept. 7 (the Tuesday following Labor Day). It's the time when special emphasis is put on personal safety while Air Force personnel are traveling, swimming, doing yard work and performing various other outdoor activities. Robins made it through the 101 critical days in 2009 without a reportable fatality, and the hope is it will do the same in 2010. Bob Meloche, occupational and health safety specialist in the 78th Air Base Wing Safety Office, said no matter what people are doing, one key to avoiding accidents is paying attention. "Split attention is never a good thing," he said. People should not leave Voluntary Protection Program principles behind when they exit the gates, Meloche added. "The safety standards you use at work ... you should be using those same standards at home," he said. Some other tips to stay safe during the summer: A common cause of water-related injuries and drownings is misuse of personal watercraft. These most often involve first-time users who don't understand how difficult the machines are to maneuver. People should make sure they get adequate training before operating personal watercraft. It's not enough to wear seatbelts and drive safely. Drivers should also be watching out for those who are not driving safely. The noise of a lawnmower can cause hearing damage. People should wear hearing protection, especially if they have a large yard, because the longer exposure to the noise, the greater the danger of hearing loss. Most accidents occur while people are engaged in activities they do all the time. Don't get complacent. Always think about safety.