YES, this is a Safety Message: Spread the word and save a life Published Aug. 28, 2013 By Brig. Gen. Nina Armagno 45th Space Wing commander PATRICK AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- I know what you're thinking. Here comes another "Safety Message" from the Wing Commander. Yep. You are 100% correct. It is just that, and I hope every single leader within "Team Patrick-Cape" does the same thing in their own way before we get to this Labor Day weekend, which "officially" signifies the end of the Critical Days of Summer. But it is precisely during this weekend, when we let our hair down and our guard down, that accidents happen. According to the folks in our great Safety Office, this weekend is statistically the highest accident weekend of the entire Critical Days of Summer. During the Critical Days this year, the 45th Space Wing suffered one Class A mishap from a motorcycle mishap that resulted in a permanent disability to one of our Airmen. There were also three injuries during this time period which resulted in 67 lost workdays. Throughout the Air Force in general, we lost a total of 17 Airmen to unnecessary and hapless deaths over this same time period. My guidance as we look forward to this long weekend is the same advice I would give every day of the week. Be vigilant both on- and off-duty to ensure you are performing as safely as possible in everything you do. Measure the risk and take appropriate actions. Think Safety before you Act Safely. Listen, being "Safety Smart" isn't exactly rocket science (which we happen to be very good at around here), it's mostly common sense. You've heard them all before, but they are tried and true. -Don't drink and drive. Check. -Make a plan for your long weekend drive and stick to it. Check. -Enforce a distraction-free zone for drivers; use your phone at rest stops. Check. -Wear your seat belt and ensure children are in properly installed safety seats appropriate for their size. Check and Check. Team, help us spread the word - "Safety never takes a holiday, and danger never takes a vacation." Don't learn safety by accident. Very often, the safest risk is the one you didn't take. Good Wingmen don't just stand by and try to "fix things" after-the-fact. They intercede to intercept a potentially bad situation before it gets out of hand. As I learned early in my Air Force career, as soon as we see a mistake and don't fix it, it becomes our mistake, and we're doomed to repeat it. Let's not make that mistake. Your timely intervention could save a life. Take action! Stay focused Sharks. And STAY SAFE!