IMCOM Fall-Winter Safety Publication

8/3/2019 IMCOM Fall-Winter Safety Publication

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2/62Safety is Everyones Business

Personal Safety...............................................................................................................................................................................4

Where Should Safety Fit In?. ................................................................................................................................................4

Accident Prevention ...............................................................................................................................................................5

Hazard Reporting ...................................................................................................................................................................6

Reporting Procedures.................................................................................................................................................6

Response Actions ........................................................................................................................................................6

Cold Weather Preparedness.....................................................................................................................................................7

Cold Weather Injuries ............................................................................................................................................................7

Chilblains .......................................................................................................................................................................7

Immersion Foot/Trench Foot ....................................................................................................................................7

Frostnip ..........................................................................................................................................................................7

Frostbite .........................................................................................................................................................................8

Hypothermia .................................................................................................................................................................8

Dehydration ..................................................................................................................................................................8

Cold Weather Risk Factors......................................................................................................................................................9

Cold Injury Prevention ............................................................................................................................................................9

Prepare Your Home and Family ....................................................................................................................................... 11

Workplace Safety ..........................................................................................................................................................................12

What Is Hearing Conservation? ....................................................................................................................................... 12

Workplace Back Injury Prevention ................................................................................................................................... 13

OfceErgonoics............................................................................................................................................................... 15

InenzaPrevention............................................................................................................................................................16

Travel Safety....................................................................................................................................... ............................................ 18

TRIPS Travel Risk Planning System ............................................................................................................................. 18

Winter Driving ....................................................................................................................................................................... 18

Tune-up ....................................................................................................................................................................... 18

Your Cars Winter Survival Kit................................................................................................................................. 18

Avoiding Accidents During Winter Driving ...................................................................................................................... 20

Using Jumper Cables ...........................................................................................................................................................21

Healthy Traveling ....................................................................................................................................................... 22

Distracted Driving ................................................................................................................................................................ 25

Cell Phone Usage and Text Messaging While Driving ......................................................................................25

Child Passenger Safety .......................................................................................................................................................27

Motorcycle Safety ................................................................................................................................................................ 28Drugs and Alcohol and Motorcycles ................................................................................................................................ 30

Back to School Safety ..........................................................................................................................................................31

Vehicle Operators ......................................................................................................................................................31

Parents .........................................................................................................................................................................31

Teens Behind the Wheel .................................................................................................................................................... 32

Safety is Everyones Business



Recreational Safety ....................................................................................................................................................................... 34

Jogging and Running Rules ...............................................................................................................................................34

Preventing Football Injuries ...............................................................................................................................................35

Skiing and Snowboarding Safety ..................................................................................................................................... 36

Safety Rules for Firearms................................................................................................................................................... 38

Hunting Safely ...................................................................................................................................................................... 38

Firearms in the Home......................................................................................................................................................... 40

Household Safety...........................................................................................................................................................................42

DialingEergencyTelephoneNbers........................................................................................................................42

Home Fire Prevention and Preparedness ......................................................................................................................43

Facts .............................................................................................................................................................................43

Smoke Detectors .......................................................................................................................................................43

FireEtingishers ......................................................................................................................................................44

Flammables ................................................................................................................................................................44 ElectricalSafetyandHeatSorces .......................................................................................................................45

EscapingaFire:EDITHEitDrillsintheHoe..................................................................................................45

Cooking Fire Safety ..............................................................................................................................................................46

Safe Cooking Behavior .............................................................................................................................................46

If Your Clothes Catch Fire .........................................................................................................................................46

Safe Food Handling .............................................................................................................................................................48

Home Heating Systems ......................................................................................................................................................50

Portable Heater Hazards ....................................................................................................................................................50

ElectricHeaters..........................................................................................................................................................50

Fuel-Powered Heaters ..............................................................................................................................................51

NatralGasSafetyRles....................................................................................................................................................51

InCaseofaGasEergency...................................................................................................................................51

WinterStorageofCopressedGassesandFlaables.........................................................................................52

Carbon Monoxide .................................................................................................................................................................52

Radon in Homes ...................................................................................................................................................................53

Power Tools ............................................................................................................................................................................54

Chain Saws ............................................................................................................................................................................55

Holiday Safety.................................................................................................................................................................................56

Accidents Dont Take Holidays ..........................................................................................................................................56

Accidental Falls ..........................................................................................................................................................56

Poisoning .....................................................................................................................................................................56

Rules for Holiday Decorations.................................................................................................................................56

Outdoor Lighting ...................................................................................................................................................................58

Safe Toy Purchases ..............................................................................................................................................................58

Tips to Party By ......................................................................................................................................................................59

Fresh Citrus Mock-Cocktails for the Holidays .................................................................................................................60




PERSONALSAFETY

Army leaders are taught throughout their

development that the mission comesrst. This raises the question: Where

should saety t in? The answer is: From the

beginning.

To successully complete any mission, leaders

must rst ensure that it is completed without un-

necessary loss o time, equipment, or personnel

due to accidents. To do this, they must incorporate

saety into all tasks and missions that their Sol-

diers are required to perorm.

The Army, as with all large corporations, gives

its leaders what they need, not what they want.This allows no excess or luxury items. A tank com-

mander who loses an operator in an accident has

no extra operator, so someone in the track will

have to perorm an additional task. This kind o

incident aects not only the mission, but crew

morale as well.

The eect that saety, or the lack o it, can have

on unit morale is reected in every aspect o the

unit mission. Letting Soldiers know that you, the

leader, are concerned about saety in everything

they do can inuence the way they think aboutsaety.

Your ailure to correct a dangerous situation

will come back to haunt you when an accident

happens. It can result in shoddy maintenance or

workmanship. It might result in Soldiers, con-

cerned about their own saety, being reluctant to

ollow your orders.

No good leader would knowingly allow this

to happen, butthrough oversights in planning

and executing a missionit occasionally does. A

good line o communication between leaders in aunit can eliminate most o these oversights. When

planning or preparing or a mission, ask a ellow

leader to take a look at how you intend to conduct

the operation and give you some pointers on how

you can do it more saely.

A haphazard unit saety program can aect a

unit in many ways other than morale. Here are

some examples:

Loss o productive time. When an accident

occurs, many unit members and individuals

outside the unit must get involved to investi-gate, research, and solve the problems leading

to the accident.

Loss o personnel. People who are injured or

killed in accidents are not available to partici-

pate in mission accomplishment.

Loss o equipment. Vehicles and equipment

may be damaged or totally lost to the unit.

When it is most needed, it may not be avail-

able.

Loss o condence in the unit. Who can place

strong condence in a unit that loses person-

nel, equipment, time, and morale by not hav-

ing or carrying out a good saety program?

Dont let a lack o saety have an adverse eect

on you, your Soldiers, or your unit.

(Article written by MSG Dave Harrelson, U.S. Army Safety Center)

WHERESHOuLDSAFETYFITIN?




ACCIDENTPREVENTION

What is an accident, anyway? Its an unplanned event,

and saety is simply not having accidents. Do you want to

prevent accidents? You can i you want to, because saety is

a state o mind.

Its true: people could prevent 90 percent o all accidents

i they wanted to, because 90 percent o all accidents are

caused by peoplenot mechanical ailures or natural oc-

currences, but people like you and me.

Yes, you might say, but how does a person recognize an

accident beore it happens? It isnt easy to do that, but you

can i you have knowledge o what causes accidents. Theollowing advice will help:

Know yourselyour abilities, skills, and limitations.

Know your jobguards, rules, and required personal

protective clothing.

Know your worldknow whats happening and why.

The more we know, the more we can avoid accidents.

Use sel-controlrelease rustration, ear, anger, ten-

sion, and worry. Employ a desire to be sae. Do your job

the right way, and avoid risky shortcuts.

Use sound judgmentsel-preservation vs. sel-destruc-

tion. The choice is always up to you. I you know that

judgment is the result o attitude and knowledge, then

you can avoid or prevent accidents.




HAZARDREPORTING

Hazard reporting is intended to reduce accidents by identiying and eliminating potential saety and health

hazards as required by the Occupational Saety and Health Act and pertinent Army regulations.

Reporting Procedures

Hazards may be reported by telephone to the Saety Oce. Hazards may also be reported to the Saety O-

ce using DA Form 4755, Employee Report o Alleged Unsae or Unhealthul Working Conditions. (This orm is

available rom Publications.)

Anyone recognizing a saety or health hazard may submit DA Form 4755 or call the Saety

Oce to report a hazard. No harassment or action is to be taken against an individual

or submitting a hazard report in accordance with AR 385-10, The Army Saety

Program. The report may be signed or it may be anonymous, per AR 385-10.

The report does not have to be submitted through channels. It may be

submitted directly to the Saety Oce.

Response Actions

Every report is investigated by the Saety Oce. The name o

the individual reporting the hazard will not be revealed. The

rank or position o the person submitting the report is not

consideredthe priority or investigating the potential hazardwill be based solely upon the severity o the hazard. Likewise, it

does not matter i the report was signed or submitted

anonymously; all reports will be reviewed and acted

upon.

Any action taken will be reported to the

complainant.

Remember: job saety is everyones business.

6 Safety is Everyones Business



Exposure to cold temperatures, whether

indoors or outside, can cause other serious

or lie-threatening health problems. Inants

and the elderly are particularly at risk, but

anyone can be aected. To keep yoursel and

your Family sae, you should know how to

prevent cold-related health problems and

what to do i a cold-weather health emer-

gency arises.

Cold Weather Injuries

Chilblains is a nonreezing cold injury

resulting rom repeated, prolonged skin

exposure to cold and wet (high humidity)

temperatures above reezing. Exposed skin

becomes red, tender, hot to the touch, and

is usually accompanied with itching. This

can worsen to an aching, prickly (pins andneedles) sensation and then numbness. Chil-

blains can develop in exposed skin in only

a ew hours. The most commonly aected

areas are the ears, nose, ngers, and toes.

Immersion Foot / Trench Foot is a non-

reezing injury that results rom prolonged

exposure to wet conditions between 32 F

60F or inactivity with damp socks and boots.

Immersing eet in cold water, not changing

socks requently, not maintaining proper hy-

giene, and allowing sweat to accumulate in

boots or gloves will soten the skin, causing

tissue loss, and, oten, inection. These cold

and wet conditions constrict blood vessels

and the aected areas become cold, swollen,

discolored, waxy and are oten accompanied

by sensations o pins and needles, numb-

ness, and then pain. In extreme cases, esh

dies and amputation may be necessary.

Frostnip is the reezing o the top lay-

ers o skin tissue and is considered the

rst degree o rostbite. Frostnip usually

results rom short-duration exposure to

cold air, or contact with a cold object such

as metal. Exposed skin, such as the cheeks,

ears, ngers, and wrists are more likely to

develop rostnip. The top layer o rozen

skin becomes white, waxy, and eels hard

and rubbery while the deeper tissue is stillsot. The aected area eels numb and may

become swollen, but does not blister. Frozen

skin thaws quickly, becoming red and pain-

ul with eventual peeling o the skin with

complete healing within 10 days and injury is

normally reversible.

COLDWEATHERPREPAREDNESS




Frostbite is the actual reezing o skin tissue

that can extend through all layers o the skin

and actually reeze the muscle and bone. Frozen

skin may turn red and then gray-blue with blis-

ters and in worst cases, the skin dies and turns

blue-black. At this stage, amputation is oten

required. Deep rozen skin eels wooden to thetouch with zero mobility o the aected body

part. Instantaneous rostbite can occur when the

skin comes in contact with super-cooled liquids,

such as petroleum, oil, lubricants, uel, anti-

reeze, and alcohol, all o which remain liquid at tempera-

tures as low as -40 F.

Hypothermia is a potential lie threatening condition that is

dened as the general cooling o the body core temperature below 95

F (normal body temperature is 98.6 F). Hypo- thermia sets in when the

body-heat lost exceeds the bodys heat production due to prolonged coldexposure. Although hypothermia is usually associated with cold climates, it

can occur at temperatures well above reezing especially when a person is

exposed to extended wet conditions.

Signs and symptoms o hypothermia change as body temperature alls.

Mental unctions typically decline rst; marked with declined decision-making

ability, slurred speech, disorientation, incoherence, irrationality, and possible

unconsciousness. Muscle unctions deteriorate with shivering, lose o ne motor ability (i.e., un-

able to complete tasks with hands), progressing to stumbling, clumsiness, and alling. In severe cases,

shivering ceases, and an individual exhibits stiness and inability to move. Pulse and respiration rates

decrease progressing to unconsciousness, irregular heartbeat, and death.

Unortunately, early signs and symptoms o hypothermia can be dicult to recognize and may easilygo undetected. A victim may deny he/she is in trouble; believe the symptoms, not the victim.

Dehydration is a lack o water in the body and most people associate dehydration with hot weather

conditions. However, it is very easy to become dehydrated in cold weather and many individuals ail to

drink enough liquid and underestimate uid loss rom sweating. Proper hydration is especially impor-

tant in cold weather as dehydration adversely aects the bodys resistance to cold injury, increas-

ing the chance o cold weather injuries. Remember that proper hydration is essential

to supplying uel and energy to body parts to acilitate heat production.




Understanding the contributing actors o cold

weather injuries provides a better understanding

o the best methods on how to combat the cold.

Environmental actors including temperature,

wind, rain, immersion, and altitude; work load;

duration o cold/wet exposure; and individual risk

actors such as physical tness, atigue, health,

prior history o cold injury, use o medications,

alcohol, nicotine, and poor nutrition can all con-

tribute to cold weather injuries.

COLDINjuRYPREVENTION

Individuals can work and play in cold environ-

ments i they are properly prepared and under-

stand basic control measures to prevent cold

weather injuries.

Keep body warm:

Keep moving by exercising big muscles (arms,

legs) to keep warm.

Avoid alcohol use as it impairs the bodys abil-

ity to shiver and gives a alse sense o warmth.

Avoid all tobacco products as they decrease

blood circulation to the skin.

Eat all meals to maintain energy.

Drink water or warm non-caeinated/alcoholic

uids to prevent dehydration. Drinking warm

liquids like tea and hot chocolate containing

sugar provides energy to help the body gener-

ate additional heat.

Limit the amount o time outside on extremelycold days. Periodically move into a warm area

such as a warming tent.

Wear proper clothing:

Wear several layers o loose clothing, rather

than one or two bulky layers. Air is trapped

between these layers and acts as insula-

tion against the cold. The layers can also be

removed i you become too hot to prevent

sweating. Loose clothing allows the blood tocirculate to the extremities.

Ensure all clothing is in good condition, clean,

and dry; change wet, damp clothes immedi-

ately.

COLDWEATHER

RISK FACTORS


10/62Safety is Everyones Business0

Protect eet:

Carry an extra pair o socks and change damp socks im-

mediately. Use oot powder to help absorb moisture.

Avoid tight socks and boots, ensuring not to over

tighten boots or shoes.

Wear overshoes to keep boots and socks

clean and dry.

Protect hands:

Wear gloves, mittens, or

gloves/mittens with

inserts to avoid rost-

bite injuries.

Keep gloves/mit-tens clean and dry;

change damp gloves

immediately.

Warm hands under

clothes i they be-

come numb.

Avoid skin contact

with snow, uel, or

bare metal that has

been exposed tothe cold or extend-

ed periods.

Protect head, ace, and ears:

Wear a hat. As much as 70 percent or

more o the bodys heat is lost through an un-

covered head and a hat reduces the amount o

body heat that escapes rom your head.

Cover ace and ears with scar to prevent rost-

bite injuries. In combination, a hat and scarprotect the skin and retain body heat.

Warm ace and ears by covering them with your

hands, but do not rub ace or ears.

Wear sunscreen.

Exercise acial muscles to help maintain circula-

tion.

Protect riends and Family:

Watch or signs o rostbite and other cold

weather injuries in your buddy.

Ask about and assist with re-warming o

eet, hands, ears, or ace.

Immediately treat persons showing any

sign/symptom o cold injury.




PREPAREYOuRHOmEAND

FAMILY

The Centers or Disease Control and Prevention

(CDC) recommends the ollowing:

Although periods o extreme cold cannot always

be predicted ar in advance, weather orecasts can

sometimes provide you with several days notice.

Listen to weather orecasts regularly, and check

your emergency supplies whenever a period o ex-

treme cold is predicted.

I you plan to use a replace or wood stove or

emergency heating, have your chimney or ue in-

spected each year. Ask your local re department to

recommend an inspector, or nd one in the yellow

pages o your telephone directory under chimney

cleaning.

Also, i youll be using a replace, wood stove,

or kerosene heater, install a smoke detector and abattery-operated carbon monoxide detector near

the area to be heated. Test them monthly, and re-

place batteries twice a year.

Your ability to eel a change in temperature

decreases with age, and older people are more

susceptible to health problems caused by cold. I

you are over 65 years old, place an easy-to-read

thermometer in an indoor location where you will

see it requently, and check the temperature o your

home oten during the winter months.

Insulate any water lines that run along exterior

walls so your water supply will be less likely to

reeze. To the extent possible, weatherproo your

home by adding weather-stripping, insulation, in-

sulated doors and storm windows, or thermal-pane

windows.

I you have pets, bring them indoors. I you can-

not bring them inside, provide adequate shelter

to keep them warm and make sure that they haveaccess to unrozen water.




Hearing conservation is protecting your

hearing rom a potentially damaging

level o noise.

Noise can interere with sound you want to

hearor example, conversation. But its more

than just a nuisance, its a hazard too. It can dam-

age hearing, temporarily or permanently. Noise

may also create stress that can aect your physical

and mental well-being, and cause accidents, when

workers cant hear instructions or warning signals.

Good hearing helps you enjoy lie. Many o

lies most valued pleasures involve hearingor

example, the sounds o nature and everyday lie,

music, voices o Family and riends, and more.

Good hearing is also essential or communicating

with others. Being with other people is easier and

more rewarding i you can hear and understand

sounds clearly and correctly. Without good hear-

ing, its dicult to lead a ull liewhether on the

job or o.

But you can protect your hearing rom damage

or loss. Here are some steps:

Understand the undamentals o hearing and

sound.

Use protective devices in noisy areas, both on

and o the job.

Have your hearing tested periodically.

Hearing conservation is important, because your

hearing is priceless!

WORKPLACESAFETY

WHATISHEARINGCONSERVATION?




The ollowing guidance has been adapted rom

back injury prevention materials provided by the

Department o Labor (DOL) Occupational Saety and

Health Administration Training Institute. Even though

these tips were developed or workplace situations,

you should also keep them in mind at home, when

you move heavy items or shovel snow!

1. Containers:Materials and containers should be

compact and stable. Loads in which the center

o gravity can shit or in which the center o

gravity is higher than the handles are more

likely to induce strain. The shape and surace

characteristics o manual loads should allow the

weight to be carried close to the body.

2. Handles and grips:Heavier loads should have

secure handles or natural grips. Hard-to-graspitems should be obtained in well-designed

packaging or repacked in carriers. Sucient

hand clearance is essential, particularly

when gloves must be worn. I handles

are not provided, surace texture

must permit a secure grasp.

3. Weight: Within the limits o practi-

cality, materials should be moved in

easily managed units. I economy de-

mands that material be obtained in bulk,

it should be repacked or handled with

proper equipment.

4. Bulk: Outside dimensions should

be small enough to avoid awk-

ward grips and intererence with

smooth body motion. The size o

a package must allow sae clearance through-

out the path o movement.

5. Frequency o lit: Arrange to reduce the re-

quency o lits, even o light loads, through task

redesign. Be sure that multiple light loads are

not simply combined into a dangerously heavylit.

6. Vertical movement:Minimize liting by stor-

ing materials on shelves or platorms. Provide

secure intermediate stopping points or loads

that must be moved manually rom a low to

high position. Eliminate storage at heights

that are dicult to reach. Assure that shelving

or storage piles will not suddenly collapse or

release the weight o a load.

7. Horizontal movement: Arrange tasks so thatloads are not held or moved at a distance rom

the body. The job must be designed to mini-

mize twisting and turning. Workers must

have an unobstructed view o

the path o travel. Passages

and aisles should be

clear o obstacles,

convolutions,

and projec-

tions.

WORKPLACEBACKINjuRYPREVENTION




8. Walking suraces: Floors must be kept clean,

dry, and smooth. Changes in elevation should

be avoided and must be clearly marked to

prevent tripping. Industrial aisles must bemarked. Protect outdoor loading areas, and

maintain them ree o snow or mud.

9. Material handling equipment: Provide mate-

rial handling equipment or jobs requiring

requent liting or even occasional movement

o excessive loads. The job site must be re-

viewed to ensure that the equipment will not

introduce additional hazards o collision, load

dropping, or pinch-points.

10. Employee posture: Make sure workers arepositioned or easy reach o the task. Provide

stress-relieving stools, seats, and ootrests.

The job should permit some movement and

change o posture. Ensure that the pace and

direction o workow do not require sudden

extreme shits o position.

11. Environmental conditions: Prolonged expo-

sure to extreme heat, cold, noise, and vibra-

tion should be avoided. Protective equipment

that does not interere with the task must be

provided and its use enorced. Adequate light

must shine on the work area and passages.

12. Worker selection and training:The physical

capability o the worker must be matched to

liting requirements. Pre-placement physical

exams should include consideration o repeti-

tive or heavy liting tasks. Adequate numbers

o workers must be present to allow needed

two-man lits. All workers, including those

who do only incidental heavy liting, must be

given basic training that includes the dangerso improper material handling, how to avoid

unnecessary stress, and individual assessment

o sae liting capacity.




OFFICEERGONOmICS

Ergonomics simply means tting the work to the person. In the oce, good ergonomics

means selecting and properly using urniture, computers, lighting, and telephones to t the

workers that use them. Use o a desk, chair, computer, and telephone requires that you practicegood ergonomics or suer discomort, rapid atigue, and loss o productivity.

I your back aches because your chair does not support your lower back, your productivity and

health will suer. Your chair, desk, telephone, keyboard, monitor, and mouse must all be posi-

tioned properly or you to be comortable, productive, and healthy. The ollowing tips will help

you adjust and use your oce workstation or optimum comort and health:

Use a comortable chair that supports your lower back. The edge o the seat should not cre-

ate pressure on the backs o your knees.

Your eet should be at on the oor or supported by a ootrest.

I available, adjustable armrests should be used. I used, armrests should be comortableand not in your way.

Face your work straight on and avoid twisting your neck or torso.

Your computer monitor should be directly in ront o you and not o at an angle.

Your desk should be at a comortable height or writing. Your computer keyboard and mouse

should be at a comortable height or extended usage; i necessary, use an adjustable height

and tilt keyboard-mouse platorm.

When using the keyboard and mouse, keep your wrists straight and unbent in a comortable,

relaxed position.

Adjust the monitor height so that the top o the screen is at or below eye level. Insert books

under the monitor or a quick and easy way to raise the monitor.

The monitor screen should be positioned approximately 24 inches rom the eyes.

Adjust lighting, window shades, and the angle o the monitor to minimize glare.

Do not cradle the telephone between ear and shoulder.

Hold it properly or use a headset or speakerphone. Head-

sets are recommended or workers who spend a lot o

time on the phone.

Lastly, control your weight, get plenty o exercise tomaintain good muscle tone, and get regular vision

exams.




INFLuENZAPREVENTION

Inuenza (the u) is a contagious respiratory illness caused by inuenza viruses. It can cause

mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death. Some people, such as older people, young

children, and people with certain health conditions, are at high risk or serious u complica-

tions. The best way to prevent the u is by getting vaccinated each year.

In 20092010, a new and very dierent u virus (called 2009 H1N1) spread worldwide caus-

ing the rst u pandemic in more than 40 years. The CDC expects the 2009 H1N1 virus to cause

illness again this upcoming season along with other seasonal u viruses. The 20102011 u vac-

cine will protect against 2009 H1N1 and two other inuenza viruses.

Visit the CDC website at: http://www.cdc.gov/u/or the consolidated Federal Government

website at: http://www.u.gov/to get the latest inuenza inormation.

While inuenza is not normally classied as a saety hazard, u inections are a real concern

or the Army because lost workdays caused by u absences place added strain on available

manpower.

According to the CDC, most people who get the u (either seasonal or2009 H1N1) will have mild illness, will not need medical care or

antiviral drugs, and will recover in less than 2 weeks. Some people,

however, are more likely to get u complications that result in

being hospitalized and occasionally result in death. Pneumonia,

bronchitis, sinus inections, and ear inections are examples o

u-related complications. The u can also make chronic health

problems worse. For example, people with asthma may experi-

ence asthma attacks while they have the u, and people with

chronic congestive heart ailure may have worsening o this condi-

tion that is triggered by the u.

People at High Risk or Developing Flu-Related Complications:

Children younger than 5, but especially children younger than

2 years old

Adults 65 years o age and older

Pregnant women

Certain medical conditions (see http://www.cdc.gov/u/about/dis-

ease/high_risk.htm.)




The preventive measures listed below can help Army personnel protect their health and pre-

vent the spread o both types o the u virus.

Seasonal u immunizations are available now. See your local medical acility or personal

physician to get your seasonal u shot.

Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue every time you sneeze or cough. Place used tissues

in the trash. I no tissues are available, cough or sneeze into your elbow, not into your hands.

Wash your hands oten with soap and water, or with an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth. Touching these areas can spread the u virus.

I you are sick and think you may have the u, stay home or at least 24 hours ater the ever

is gone, except to get medical care or take care o other essential needs.

Visit the previously listed websites to keep abreast o the latest inuenza inormation, and

ollow Army or CDC guidelines regarding immunizations.




With the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays,

many Soldiers and their Families will be on theroad to visit Family and riends. The ollowing

inormation should help you make your way saely

to your destination.

TRiPSTravelRiskPlanningSyste

As we enter the winter months, many Soldiers

are nalizing their travel plans or some much

deserved holiday leave. Beore hitting the open

road, however, leaders must ensure that their

soldiers complete a TRiPS assessment.

TRiPS is an online automated risk assessment

tool specically designed or personnel using

their privately owned vehicles (POVs) or motor-

cycles during pass, leave, TDY, or PCS. Since its

inception, Army personnel using TRiPS are signi-

cantly less likely to be involved in a atal accident

involving a POV. With millions o Army assess-

ments completed since the inception o the tool,

this is a positive impact on saety. Because it has

been so eective in reducing Army atalities, it

was also adopted by all military services. To accessTRiPS visit https://saety.army.mil/ .

WINTERDRIVING

Winter is not only a time o holiday joy but also

a time to give some special consideration to the

care and driving o your automobile.

Tune-up

Give your car a thorough checkup beore

weather gets bad:

Check your tires. Make sure the tires have

enough tread depth to provide traction in rain,

slush, and snow. You can do this by inserting a

quarter (25 cent coin) into the tire tread, with the

top o Washingtons head pointed toward thecenter o the tire. I you can see the top o Wash-

ingtons head when you do this, you should have a

mechanic or technician check the tires. Also check

the tire pressures, and add air i needed. Cooler

temperatures result in lower tire pressures and

under-inated tires

Check coolant/antireezeEnsure your radia-

tor is properly lled, and that the coolant provides

adequate protection against reezing.

TRAVELSAFETY



19/62

Check batteryThis is

the time o year when it

will most likely ail on you,

and when it can be danger-

ous to be stranded. Follow the

guidance in your vehicle owners

manual, or have a technician check the

battery.

Have the heater system checked over or proper

operation.

Check all hoses and connections, and replace

worn ones.

Check all belts or wear or cracks.

Replace air and oil lters, gas line lters, and the

PCV valve.

Make sure your motor oil is rated or winter

temperatures.

Check your wiper blades or wear and cracks.

Your Cars Winter Survival Kit

Here are some handy items to

keep in your vehicle when youre

driving in wintry conditions:

An ice scraper/brush

combination Small shovel

Sand, salt, or kitty litter

(or traction)

Tow rope or chain

A couple o blankets

Galoshes and gloves

Flashlight and extra batteries

Jumper cables

First aid kit

Road ares or reectors

Fire extinguisher.

(Article courtesy o Mr. Randy Butler, DOL-Transportation Division)




You should think about snow and ice every

time you climb into the drivers seat during

the winter months. I a section o pavement

looks wet, dont assume its just wateritmay be black ice, a thin lm o ice that is very

treacherous. Black ice is more oten ound on

bridges and in heavily shaded areas, but could

show up anywhere. Increase your vehicle

spacing on icy suraces; stopping distance can

be as much as 12 times what it would be on a

clear, dry road.

Give driving your ull attention, concentrat-

ing on road conditions and the surrounding

area. It takes only a ew seconds o inattentionto cause an accident or be involved in one.

Slow down beore you reach a curve, and i

you need to apply brakes, use a eathering or

pumping action. Hard breaking will lock the

wheels and cause skidding. Drive cautiously

and methodically. Keeping a steady, moderate

pressure on the accelerator helps cut the need

to brake hard when brakes are applied.

Avoid unnecessary trips. I a trip can wait,

postpone it instead o driving in bad weather.

I you must drive in bad weather, start your

trip early and allow extra time to reach your

destinationbad road conditions and holiday

trac will increase your travel time.

Seeing is essentiali drivers cant see the

danger, they cant do anything to avoid it. So

beore leaving on your trip, make sure win-

dows, mirrors, and headlights are clean. Check

your windshield wipers to ensure that they

are working properly, and check or burnt-out

headlights, taillights, and brake lights.

(Article courtesy o Mr. Randy Butler, DOL-Transportation Division)

Safety is Everyones Business0

AVOIDINGACCIDENTSDuRINGWINTERDRIVING



uSINGjumPERCABLES

Whenever jumper cables are used to start a car with a dead battery, the ollowing procedures

are recommended:

1. Turn o all switches in the car.

2. Connect the red clamp o the jumper cable to the positive (+) pole o the dead battery.

3. Connect the other end o the same red cable to the positive (+) pole o the booster battery.

4. Connect the second cable (black) to the negative (-) pole o the booster battery.

5. Finally, clamp the other end o the second booster cable to the engine block o the vehicle

with the dead battery, on the side away rom the battery.

6. When removing the cables, do so in the reverse order stated above.

7. I you have diculty in remembering this procedure, tape these instructions inside your

car hood or uture reerence.




HEALTHYTRAVELING

I your job requires a considerable amount o

out-o-town travel, keep in mind that requent

absences can lead to health diculties, as well

as loneliness, alienation, and even depression.

You might even encounter problems with col-leagues, riends, mates, and children i they

begin to eel neglected.

The travel itsel can also be exhausting.

When you travel by airplane, ollow these rec-

ommendations:

People with chronic sinus and allergy prob-

lems should consult their physician beore

ying. Their physician may be able to give

them medication that will decrease their

discomort when ying.

People who get anxious or nauseated when

ying can also check with their physician or

prescription medicine that could help. They

should also eat light meals and, i they get

nausea, stay away rom alcohol, because it

will make the nausea worse.

When traveling by car, plan rest breaks to get

out and stretch. These breaks relieve tension in

the muscles, particularly those in the legs and

back, and help keep drivers more alert.

I you nd that in addition to the rigors o

traveling, your job also requires you to be away

rom home or long periods o time, watch or

these signs that could indicate that youre away

too much:

Health problems: Catching more colds,

taking longer than usual to get over the u,

insomnia

Decreased work perormance: Decreasedwork output, making more mistakes, less

steady handwriting, inability to concentrate

on a task as long as usual

Mood changes: Irritability, eeling blue, and

experiencing periods o hyperactivity.




Here are some tips to help combat these travel-

related problems and also keep the people at

home happier in your absence:

Get extra sleep the week beore you depart

and during the trip. I possible, stay on the

same time schedule that youre on at home.Even the change o an hour either way can

make a dierence in your energy level.

Eat a balanced diet and try to exercise while

youre gone. I you change altitudes, eat and

exercise in small amounts at rst. People eel

atigued during the rst 24 to 36 hours in a

higher altitude.

Plan ahead so you leave the oce well orga-

nized instead o in the sort o disarray that will

increase stress when you return.

Call home requently. This is a good invest-

ment or both you and your Family.

I you know youll be traveling a great deal, a

thorough physical can help head o potential

problems. See your Family doctor or advice.

Be cautious about traveling during a winter storm.

Follow these tips rom the CDC:

Listen or radio or television reports o travel

advisories issued by the National Weather

Service.

Do not travel in low visibility conditions.

Avoid traveling on ice-covered roads, over-

passes, and bridges i at all possible.

I you must travel by car, use tire chains and

take a mobile phone with you.

I you must travel, let someone know your des-

tination and when you expect to arrive. Ask

them to notiy authorities i you are late.

Check and restock the winter emergency sup-plies in your car beore you leave.

Never pour water on your windshield to re-

move ice or snow; shattering may occur.

Dont rely on a car to provide sucient heat;

the car may break down.

Always carry additional warm clothing appro-

priate or the winter conditions.




What to do i you get stranded.

Staying in your vehicle when stranded is oten the saest choice i winter storms create poor

visibility or i roadways are ice covered. These steps will increase your saety when stranded:

Tie a brightly colored cloth to the antenna as a signal to rescuers and raise the hood o the

car (i it is not snowing).

Move anything you need rom the trunk into the passenger area.

Wrap your entire body, including your head, in extra clothing, blankets, or newspapers.

Stay awake. You will be less vulnerable to cold-related health problems.

Run the motor (and heater) or about 10 minutes per hour, opening one window slightly to

let in air. Make sure that snow is not blocking the exhaust pipethis will reduce the risk o

carbon monoxide poisoning.

As you sit, keep moving your arms and legs to improve your circulation and stay warmer.

Do not eat unmelted snow because it will lower your body temperature.

Huddle with other people or warmth.



25/62



Seat Belt Saety

According to the NHTSA, more Americans

are buckling up than ever beore, with 83

percent o vehicle occupants using seat belts

during daylight hours. It is estimated that

approximately 270 lives are saved or every 1

percent increase in seat belt use. Data trends

show that each year approximately 50 percent

o vehicle occupants killed in crashes were not

buckled up. Saety belts save lives, an estimat-

ed 15,000 each year. I everyone involved in

a atal crash were wearing their seat belts, an

additional 5,000 atalities could be prevented

each year. Tragically, data shows that approxi-

mately 25 percent o children under age 14

who die in passenger vehicle crashes each year

are unbelted.

Worn correctly, seat belts reduce the risk o

atal injury by 45 percent or ront-seat pas-

senger car occupants and by 60 percent or

pickup truck, SUV, and minivan occupants.

Despite a decade o gains in daytime seat

belt use, NHTSA data shows that nighttime

belt use continues to be much lower, particu-

larly among young drivers. The data shows

that approximately 5,000 teen passenger ve-

hicle occupants die in trac crashes each year.

At night, almost 70 percent o those killed

were not wearing their seat belts.

U.S. Army Requirement

All drivers and passengers in vehicles are

required to wear seat belts while traveling on

or through military installations. Soldiers are

required to wear saety belts at all times in a

moving motor vehicle.

Seat Belt Facts

..Seat belts spread impact orces over the

entire body...Seat belts stop you gradually, rather than

abruptly.

..Lap and shoulder belts reduce moderate to

atal injuries by 57 percent.

..The majority o injuries and atal crashes

occur at speeds under 40 mph and within

25 miles o home.




CHILDPASSENGERSAFETY

Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause

o death or children in the United States. Dur-

ing 2006 (the latest statistics available), 1,794

children aged 14 and under died as occupants

in motor vehicle crashes, and 184,000 wereinjured! NHTSA estimates that the use o prop-

erly sized and correctly installed child saety

seats would reduce these losses by more than

hal.

As children grow, how they sit in your car,

truck, or SUV should

change. The steps

below show how

to provide the

best protec-

tion or

children o dierent ages and sizes.

Ater selecting an age- and size-appropriate

seat, you must install it securely. Properly

installing the seats can be dicult; randomon-the-road checks o child saety seats have

ound that up to 73 percent o the seats are

not securely installed. Careully ollow the

manuacturers installation instructions, and

have the installed seat checked by an expert.

Your Garrison Saety Oce can inspect the

seat installation or direct you to other resourc-

es that can perorm the inspection. The NHTSA

website can provide the addresses o organi-

zations in your area that provide inspections

o child saety seats. Go to http://www.nhtsa.

dot.gov/cps/cpstting/index.cm and enteryour zip code to nd the closest inspection

stations.




mOTORCYCLESAFETY

Mandatory Training

Accidents can be reduced or even prevented

by choosing the correct motorcycle and having

the proper equipment and training. Riding skills

are learned; thereore, attending a Motorcycle

Saety Foundation (MSF)-approved course should

be the rst step or all riders. Motorcycle saetycourses are required and provided by U.S. Army instal-

lations. All riders must meet the requirements o the MSF-

based Basic Rider Course (BRC), which is provided to Soldiers

and DoD civilians ree o charge. Installations may also oer the

Experienced Rider Course and Military SportBike Rider Course in

addition to the BRC. These additional courses are designed to provide

additional saety skills or experienced motorcycle riders. Consult your

installation saety oce on local classes and policies or to learn more

about the Army Trac Saety Training Program (ATSTP) visit: http://com-

battingaggressivedriving.com.

Required Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

To operate a motorcycle on a military installation, riders are required to

wear proper PPE. Properly tted and unctional PPE makes riding more

comortable and much saer. High-visibility PPE is required by the military

and preerred in all cases.

The Army Saety Program (AR 385-10) requires the ollowing man-

datory PPE while operating or riding as a passenger on a motorcycle,

moped, or ATV; these rules apply to all Army military personnel at

any time, on or o a DoD installation; all Army civilian personnel in

a duty status, on or o a DoD installation; all personnel in or on aDoDowned motorcycle; and all persons at any time on an Army

installation:

Operators and passengers must wear helmets, certied

to meet Department o Transportation standards, that

are properly astened under the chin.

They must have impact- or shatter-resistant

goggles, wraparound glasses, or a ull-ace shield

properly attached to the helmet meeting or

exceeding ANSI Saety Code Z87.1, or impact

and shatter resistance. A windshield alone is not

proper eye protection. They must wear sturdy ootwear, leather boots,

or over-the-ankle shoes.

They must wear a long-sleeved shirt or jacket,

long trousers, and ull-ngered gloves or mittens

designed or use on a motorcycle.

For on-road operations, they must wear a brightly

colored, outer upper garment during the day and a

reective upper garment during the night. Military



uniorms do not meet this crite-

rion. The outer garment must be

clearly visible and not covered.

Items may be worn on top o the

outer garment, but they must meet

the same visibility requirements o

the outer garment.

During o-road operations,

operators and passengers mustuse additional PPE, such as

knee and shin guards and pad-

ded ull-ngered gloves.

Motorcycle Safety

The rst concern o every mo-

torcyclist, especially inexperienced

ones, should be saety. According

to a study conducted in Caliornia,

motorcyclists involved in accidentstook no evasive action, or in the

ew cases where something was

done, it was the wrong action. That

is why attending a training class is

so important. Follow these rules

or sae motorcycle operation:

I you are a beginner motor-

cyclist, enroll in a motorcycle

training course. Many o the ac-

cidents occurring today involve

novice riders. I you are notproperly trained to correctly re-

act to hazardous or emergency

situations, you may never get a

second chance.

Ride your motorcycle as

though you were invisible to

other highway users. Chances

are the motorist really does

not see you. When motorcycles

are involved in accidents with

automobiles, the automobiledriver usually remarks that

they never saw the motorcycle.

Take positive steps to increase

your visibility to other motor-

ists. Keep your headlight on at

all times; have your bike, riding

clothes, and helmet marked

with light-colored uorescent

or reective materials. Main-

tain the proper lane position,

and use your directional sig-

nals.

Maintain a sae ollowing dis-

tance. Trac accidents caused

by motorcyclists are usually theresult o ollowing too closely.

The greater the distance be-

tween you and the car ahead,

the more time you have to re-

act to hazards or obstructions

in the road.

Carry passengers only ater

you become a thoroughly ex-

perienced rider.

Be sure the motorcycle is le-gally equipped and maintained

in sae operating condition.

Ride in the let trackthat is,

to the let o the grease strip in

your lane o tracunless you

intend to turn right. The let

track position assures better

visibility and more evasive es-

cape room, and it encourages

other motorists to pass proper-

ly. A motorcycle is not permit-

ted to share lane position with

any other vehicle, including

another motorcycle.

Be in top mental conditionbeore operating a motorcycle.

Coordination and concentra-

tion are essential to sae opera-

tion.

Do not lend your bike to a bud-

dy. Many motorcycle accidents

occur on borrowed machines.

Manuacturers use dierent

methods o mounting controls

and control location is incon-

sistent among makes, so notevery rider will be amiliar with

every motorcycle. Also, will

your insurance cover possible

claims arising rom your bor-

rowed motorcycles accident,

or could you be held criminally

liable in case o a serious ac-

cident or injury?



Observe all trac laws. The motorcyclist must look or and be prepared to evade other ve-

hicles. Always anticipate the unexpected so you are alert to control any situation that may arise.

Rules for Braking

Good braking skills are essential or sae ridinggeneral rules or braking are as ollows:

Rule 1: Use the ront brake.This is the brake that does most o the work. Braking condently, progressively, and hard on

the ront wheel is a critical skill and should be practiced on a regular basis and under sae condi-

tions. Do this on your own and with a passenger, as the extra

weight aects your stopping distance.

As you brake, do not stien your arms; instead, grip the bike

with your legs, leaving your arms ree and relaxed. Remember,

almost 70 percent o the stopping power is in the ront brake.

Rule 2: Hard, heavy braking should always be done when the motor-

cycle is upright and traveling in a straight line.

Rule 3: Avoid locking up the wheels.

Remember, when its two wheels versus our, your skill and

know-how are your bestand maybe your onlyprotection.

Shouldnt you take whatever measures possible to increase your

survivability?

DRuGS,ALCOHOL,ANDmOTORCYCLES

Dont do it. Is that simple enough?

Alcohol and over-the-counter drugs aect your judgment

and reaction time. As a rider you cannot aord to be impaired,

because bad judgment will get you into trouble, and a slowed

reaction time may get you killed. This choice could make or break

your riding career. Remember: un or atal.




BACKTOSCHOOLSAFETY

With children back in school ater their summer

break, parents and motorists must stay alert to keep

kids sae. All o us must remember that children will

be riding bikes and scooters to school, and walking to

bus stops, sometimes in hours o darkness or limitedvisibility.

Vehicle Operators

Anyone driving a vehicle on public roads needs to

exercise additional caution, and be ready to stop

quickly to avoid children who may not be think-

ing about trac.

Always stop or school buses loading or unload-

ing children, and check your states trac laws or

additional trac rules regarding school buses.

Parents

Teach your children pedestrian saety rules.

Personally escort them to and rom school or bus

stops until you are comortable with their aware-

ness and judgment.

Enorce helmet rules when kids ride bikes or

scooters. Wearing an approved and properly t-

ted helmet reduces the risk o head injuries by 85

percent!

Teach personal saety awareness. Teach children

to avoid strangers and unsae situations. Super-

vise or escort younger children to keep them sae.

Avoid clothing with drawstrings or young chil-

dren. Coats with drawstrings around the hood

or neck can catch on playground equipment and

cause strangulation.

Make sure playground equipment is sae. Check

with school ocials to make sure the equipment

is periodically inspected by qualied saety per-

sonnel and properly maintained. Portable equip-ment such as basketball hoops and soccer goals

must be properly secured to prevent tip-overs.

Limit the size and capacity o childrens backpacks

and book bags. In recent years, overly heavy

backpacks have been causing back problems or

children who attempt to carry too much.




TEENSBEHINDTHE

WHEEL

According to CDC statistics, mo-

tor vehicle crashes are the leading

cause o death or U.S. teens, ac-counting or more than one in three

deaths in this age group. In 2008,

nine teens ages 16 to 19 died every

day rom motor vehicle injuries. Per

mile driven, teen drivers ages 16 to

19 are our times more likely than

older drivers to crash.

Fortunately, teen motor vehicle

crashes are preventable, and proven

strategies can improve the saety o

young drivers on the road.

There are proven methods to

helping teens become saer drivers.

Research suggests that the most

comprehensive graduated driv-

ers licensing (GDL) programs are

associated with reductions o 38

percent and 40 percent in atal and

injury crashes, respectively, among

16-year-old drivers.

GDL systems are designed todelay ull licensure while allowing

teens to get their initial driving ex-

perience under low-risk conditions.

When parents know their states GDL laws, they can help enorce the laws and, in eect, help

keep their teen drivers sae. Even i GDL isnt a law in your state, it can be a law in your home.

By introducing your new driver to risks and hazards they ace behind the wheel gradually, you

signicantly reduce their chance o getting into a motor vehicle crash.

(Courtesy o the Centers or Disease Control, the National Institute or Highway Saety)




With or without a strong graduated licens-

ing law, parents can establish eective rules.

In particular:

Dont rely solely on driver education.High school driver education may be the

most convenient way to learn skills, but it

doesnt produce saer drivers. Poor skills

arent always to blame. Teenagers atti-

tudes and decision making matter more.

Young people tend to rebel, and some

teens seek thrills like speeding. Training

and education dont change these ten-

dencies. Peers are inuential, but parents

have much more inuence than typically is

credited to them.

Know the law. Become amiliar with re-

strictions on young drivers. Then enorce

the restrictions.

Restrict night driving. Most young drivers

nighttime atal crashes occur between 9

p.m. and midnight, so teenagers shouldnt

be driving much later than 9. The problem

isnt just that such driving requires more

skill behind the wheel. Late outings tend

to be recreational, and even teens who

usually ollow the rules can be easily dis-tracted or encouraged to take risks.

Restrict passengers. Teenage passengers

riding in a vehicle with a beginning driver

can distract the driver and/or lead to great-

er risk-taking. About 6 o every 10 deaths

o teenage passengers occur in crashes

with teen drivers. While driving at night

with passengers is particularly lethal,

many o the atal crashes involving teen

passengers occur during the day. The best

policy is to restrict teenage passengers,especially multiple teens, all the time.

Supervise practice driving. Take an ac-

tive role in helping your teenager learn to

drive. Plan a series o practice sessions that

include a wide variety o situations, includ-

ing night driving. Give beginners time to

work up to challenges like driving in heavy

trac or on the reeway. Continue to su-

pervise practice driving by your teenager

ater graduation rom a learners permit to

a restricted or ull license.

Remember that youre a role model. New

drivers learn a lot by example, so practice

sae driving yoursel. Teenagers who have

crashes and violations oten have parents

with poor driving records.

Require saety belt use. Dont assume that

belt use when youre in the car with your

16-year old means a saety belt will be

used when your child is driving alone orout with peers. Insist on using saety belts

all the time.

Prohibit driving ater drinking alcohol.

Make it clear to your child that its illegal

and highly dangerous or a teenager to

drive ater drinking alcohol or using any

other drug. While alcohol isnt a actor

in most o the atal crashes that involve

16-year-old drivers, even small amounts o

alcohol are impairing or teenagers.

Choose vehicles with saety, not image,

in mind. Teens should drive vehicles that

reduce their chances o crashing in the rst

place and then oer protection rom injury

in case they do crash. For example, small

cars dont oer the best occupant protec-

tion in case o a collision. Avoid vehicles

with perormance images that might

encourage a teenager to speed. The best

vehicle choice or your teenager, and or

everyone else in your Family, is one thats

equipped with the latest saety technology

including side airbags that protect peo-

ples heads and electronic stability control.

(Courtesy o the Insurance Institute or Highway Saety)

WHATPARENTSOFTEENAGERSCANDO:




RECREATIONALSAFETY

jOGGINGANDRuNNINGRuLESAs with any outdoor activity, it is important

to be aware o your surroundings. Never jog or

run anyplace where you might eel uncomort-

able or unsure o your surroundings. Its always

a good idea to run with a buddy. Avoid jogging

or running at night, since cars cannot see you

and it is dicult or you to see the ground.

Remember that roadways are designed

primarily or vehicular trac. Instead use side-

walks, bike paths, physical training tracks, and

open elds. Most important: pedestrian trac

rules apply to individual joggers or runners.

Do:

..Be in good physical condition.

..Stay away rom vehicle trac where

possible.

..Wear proper ootwear.

..Face oncoming trac while running.

..Begin a running program gradually.

..Wear reective clothing i jogging at night.

Dont:

..Run during peak trac hours.

..Assume right-o-way over vehicles.

..Wear headphones when jogging near

trac.

..Use excessive salt.

..Run with the ow o trac.

..Continue i not eeling well.

..Over-exercise.

..Wear plastic or rubber suits.




So you think youre pretty good. You made

it through sotball season without getting

hurt. Well, now the real test beginsootball

season is here. Percentage-wise, more peopleare hurt playing ootball than any other team

sport. The National Saety Council reports

that 450,000 people are treated each year or

ootball-related disabling injuries.

I you want to avoid becoming a statistic

this year, there are a ew rules you should

ollow even or just a riendly game o touch

ootball in your backyard:

Warm-up beore playing to help preventstrained muscles.

Use proper shoes, clothing, mouth-guards,

and other protective equipment.

Inspect play areas and equipment or haz-

ards beore using them.

Proper supervision o practice and play

will reduce injuries in young or amateur

players.

Follow the rules o the game, display good

sportsmanship, and keep aggressive be-

havior under control.

Some people consider ootball a simulated

battle. But a toothless player on crutches is not

necessarily evidence o a good game. Many

injuries are indicators o ignorance rather than

toughness.

Football can be a un and healthy orm o

recreation when saety rules are ollowed

and when all players do their part to prevent

injuries.

PREVENTINGFOOTBALLINjuRIES




SKIINGANDSNOWBOARDING

SAFETY

For many, the arrival o old man winter

translates into shorter days, colder tempera-

tures, and hazardous road conditions. Butor some, the winter months are a welcomed

change rom summer as it is time to dust o

the skis or snowboard, dig out the winter

clothes, and head to the hills or some un in

the snow.

While many skiers and snowboarders get

excited at the all o the rst snow ake, they

ail to remember their skis and snowboards

werent the only things that gathered dust

over the summer months. The muscles neededto meet the physical demands o skiing are

oten not used with summer activities and are

in need o preparation as much, i not more

than, ski equipment.

(Jennier J. Albert, U.S. Army Combat Readiness/Saety Center)




The Nation Ski Patrol ofers these tips:

Get in shape. Dont try to ski yoursel

into shape. Youll enjoy skiing more i

youre physically t.

Obtain proper equipment. Be sure to

have your ski or snowboard bindings

adjusted correctly at a local ski shop.

You can rent good ski or snowboarding

equipment at resorts.

Wear a helmet. Wearing protective head-

gear while skiing or snowboarding only

makes good sense.

Take a lesson. Like anything, youll im-

prove the most when you receive some

guidance. The best way to become a

good skier or snowboarder is to take alesson rom a qualied instructor.

Drink plenty o water. Be careul not to

become dehydrated.

Curb alcohol consumption. Skiing and

snowboarding do not mix well with alco-

hol or drugs.

Dress in layers. Layering allows you to

accommodate your bodys constantly

changing temperature. For example,dress in polypropylene underwear (top

and bottoms) which eels good next to

the skin, dries quickly, absorbs sweat

and keeps you warm. Wear a turtleneck,

sweater, and jacket.

Be prepared. Bring a headband or hat

with you to the slopes, 60 percent o

heat-loss is through the head. Wear

gloves or mittens (mittens are usu-

ally better or those susceptible to coldhands).

Wear sun protection. The sun reects o

the snow and is stronger than you think,

even on cloudy days.

Always wear eye protection. Have sun-

glasses and goggles with you. Skiing and

snowboarding are a lot more un when

you can see.

Know your limits. Learn to ski and snow-

board smoothly, and in control. Do notski trails above your skill level. Stop

beore you become atigued.

Ski with a buddy. Its always saer to ski

with a riend so he can watch out or you

and vice versa. Prearrange a meeting

place in case you get separated and use

walkie-talkies to stay in touch.

Follow the rules. Do not go o-trail. Obey

posted trail closure and other warning

signs. They are there or a reason. Re-member that skiers who are in ront o

you, and below you, on the trail have the

right-o-way.




SAFETYRuLESFORFIREARmS

For many people, all and winter signal the approach o hunting season. Observing the ollowing

basic saety rules will keep everyone sae during hunting and target shooting activities.

For additional inormation and interactive resources, visit the new U.S. Army Firearms SaetyTechniques interactive site at: https://saety.army.mil/Firearm-Saety.

Always THINK

Treat every weapon as i it is loaded.

Handle every weapon with care.

Identiy the target beore you re.

Never point the muzzle at anything you dont intend to shoot.

Keep the weapon on sae and your nger o the trigger, until you intend to re.

HuNTINGSAFETY

Saety is the most important part o any hunt!

Deer hunting is a un outdoor sport, but just

like any type o sport you must adhere to certain

saety precautions to avoid injury or even death.

Following these rules is not just your saety but

that o your ellow hunters. Deer hunting ater all

involves a lot o eager men, women, and children

out there armed with high powered ries and un-ortunately not everyone is as saety conscious as

they should be. Follow these deer hunting saety

tips:

Make sure that any rearm is treated as

though it were loaded and ready to re, and

always remember to keep the saety on, with-

out exception, unless the weapon is about to

be used.

Keep in complete control o your weapon.

Only aim your gun when you intend to shoot

and at no other time, again, without excep-

tion. In other words, aim only at the game you

intend to shoot.

Make sure you have targeted an area with no

one in close range o your game.

Always wear blaze (or a neon-bright) orange

outer layerthis is absolutely one o the bestorms o deer hunting saety you can practice.

Be sure you are not targeted as game!!! In ad-

dition to wearing bright orange, always have a

ashlight with you when hunting in the dark.

You can be a danger to yoursel and others i

you are not alert while hunting. Deer hunting

saety depends upon observation and abil-

ityi you are impaired by sleepiness, deer

hunting saety indicates that you should not

participate.




In the eld with rearms:

Never climb trees or ences or jump ditches while

carrying a loaded rearm.

Never transport loaded weapons in motor ve-

hicles.

Be sure there are adequate backstops or target

practice.

Be sure o your target. (People have been killed

or seriously wounded by hunters who heard a

sound and red into underbrush thinking the

sound was made by game.)

Firearms and alcohol dont mix! (Its a act that

alcohol in the body aects judgment and impairs

reexes.)

Be sure your rearm is maintained in a sae oper-

ating condition.

I you use a tree stand:

Be sure to use a harness or saety belt.

Always work within your own physical limits. Do

not attempt to climb where you cannot.

Never climb with equipment. Use a haul line.

Follow manuacturers guidelines or tree stand

saety.




FIREARmSINTHEHOmE

ALWAYS unload sporting rearms careully and completely beore taking them into the home,

remembering to keep the muzzle pointed in a sae direction. Never load a sporting rearm in the

home.

ALWAYS make absolutely sure that rearms in your home are securely stored out o the reach ochildren. Unloaded rearms can be secured with a rearm locking device to make them inoperable.

Unloaded rearms also can be

stored in a locked cabinet, sae, rearm

vault, or storage case.

ALWAYS store ammunition in a

locked location separate rom rearms

and out o the reach o children.

ALWAYS clean and place rearms in

their proper storage location immedi-

ately ater returning rom a hunting tripor a day at the range.

ALWAYS re-check rearms careully

and completely to be sure that they are

still unloaded when you remove them

rom storage. Accidents have occurred

when a Family member has borrowed

or loaned a rearm and returned it to

storage while it was still loaded.

REMEMBER:

You are responsible or making cer-

tain the rearms in your home are not

casually accessible to anyone espe-

cially curious young people.

FIREARMS ACCIDENTS IN THE HOME

can be prevented simply by making

sure that rearms are kept unloaded

and saely stored, with ammunition

secured in a separate location.

(Courtesy of the National Shooting

Sports Foundation, Inc.)




Basic Rules or Archery Saety

Cock an arrow or draw a bow only at

targets you intend to shoot.

Make sure the ull path to the target

is clear beore releasing the arrow.

Do not engage in horseplay with

drawn bows!

Keep equipment well maintained

and in good condition.

Always be sure o your target.

Never attempt to run with a bow

and arrow in the shooting position.

Saety in archery begins withgood equipment.

Regularly check your bow

or deects.

Unstring your bow when

its not in use.

Never draw a bow with-

out an arrow.

Check the bowstring or

wear.

Check arrows or irregu-

larities.

Store arrows in a sae

place.

(Article courtesy of Mr. Bill Koontz, Fort

Detrick Outdoor Recreation)




HOuSEHOLD

DIALINGEmERGENCYTELEPHONENumBERS

(uSINGLANDLINESANDCELLPHONES)

W

hn n mgnc ccus n th milit instlltin, using hdwid

gisn phn lin t dil 911 will ut th mgnc cll t milit

plic dsk mgnc pt. Hdwid phns pvid f m

timl spns fm Gisn Milit Plic nd Fi Dptmnt units.

When dialing 911 rom a cell phone on a military installation, you will normally contact a 911operator outside o the installation causing a delayed emergency response time. Please notiy

the 911 operator o your location and/or location o the emergency and the garrison you are call-

ing rom.

I you need to make an emergency call using a cell phone, make direct contact with Fire Depart-

ment or Military Police personnel by using the alternate direct dial emergency telephone num-

bers or the garrison you are calling rom; these numbers are usually available on the garrison

website. Program these numbers into your cell phone contacts list so they are readily available.

SAFETY




HOmEFIREPREVENTIONANDPREPAREDNESS

Fires and burns continue to be a major cause o unintentional injury and/

or death at home. Particularly at risk are the very young and the very old.

Facts

80 percent o all re deaths occur in the home.

The leading cause o re deaths is careless smoking.

Having a working smoke detector more than doubles ones chances

o surviving a re.

Fllw th sft tips listd blw t ptct u-

slf nd u Fmil.

Smoke Detectors

One is denitely NOT enough! Every home should

be equipped with smoke detectors on every level,particularly outside o sleeping areas.

Ensure that your smoke detectors are tested

monthly and batteries are replaced twice a year.

Change batteries when you change your clocks.

Encourage children to help test the smoke de-

tectors. Familiarize them with the sounds o the

alarm(s).




Fire Extinguishers

Keep an all-

Documents

IMCOM Fall-Winter Safety Publication