'101 Days' set for May 28 start

  • Published
  • By Mark Munsey
  • Special to the Kukini
HICKAM AIR FORCE BASE, Hawaii --  With Outdoor Recreation launching close to 500 boats annually, year-round intramural sports programs and 360 degrees worth of diverse water activities, one might assume the vigilance required for a 101 Critical Days of Summer program that affects bases like Minot, ND, wouldn't come into play here.

Not so, according to Lt. Col. K.C. 'Hoss' Parnell, 15th Airlift Wing safety chief. 

"It doesn't matter if you're stationed in North Dakota, Europe or here in paradise," he said. "When Memorial Day hits, preventable mishaps start to spike."

While a major statistical player in Hickam's mishap accumulation are injuries from intramural sports - I'm looking at you, flag football - during the period between Memorial and Labor Day the usual suspects can always be found lurking: alcohol, inattention and overexertion.

During the 101-day period, 'family days' extend several three-day weekends into four days off with understandable results, according to Colonel Parnell.

"It's a natural reaction to let your guard down," he said. "Entertaining friends in the backyard or enjoying pleasurable outdoor activities with the family is the breeding ground for preventable accidents."

Even the size of the island can lend itself to a false sense of security, he explained.

"Since you can't pack up the car and hit the road for a few days, many people will schedule multiple activities over the course of a day," the colonel said. "When the body gets worn down, so does response time."

During the summer months, it's not even necessary to venture outside the home to find potential danger, according to Staff Sgt.Benjamin Lomas,15th Civil Engineer Squadron Fire and Emergency Services fire prevention specialist.

Barbeque safety is all about common sense, he said. Always use approved charcoal lighter fluids and never operate grills within 10 feet of the home or any other building. And starting with the grills being lit by adults, the status of the cooking should never be in question.

"The adults should always keep an eye on the grill," he shared.

With the 101 Critical Days of Summer hitting its stride in June, which is national safety month, the Kukini will be running a month-long series on safety tips for the home, ball field and water recreation.