JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska -- Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, service members and their families will soon celebrate 242 years of American independence.
The 673d Air Base Wing Safety Office urges members to be cautious of their surroundings and keep safety at the forefront while celebrating Independence Day.
“From boating to barbequing, and everything in between, precautions must be taken,” said U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. John Rauch, Jr., U.S. Air Force Chief of Safety in a summer safety message. “Please stop and think: do you have the right gear, plan and skills for the activities you are about to partake in? If not, make the necessary adjustments.”
While fireworks are prohibited on JBER and the Anchorage municipality, personal fireworks are legal in some other areas of the state.
If traveling to an area where fireworks are permitted, safeguards should be taken:
• Purchase fireworks only from a properly licensed retailer.
• Always wear eye protection as well as earplugs if you have sensitive ears.
• Tie back long hair and don't wear loose-fitting clothes.
• Only light one firework at a time.
• Never try to relight fireworks that have malfunctioned.
• Never have any part of your body above lit fireworks.
• Keep young children away from fireworks.
• Never throw or point fireworks at other people.
• Never carry fireworks in your pocket.
• Make sure to have water nearby in case of a fire or an accident.
• Dispose of fireworks by soaking them in water and leaving them in a trash can.
• Never light fireworks indoors.
• Don't use fireworks while consuming alcohol; have a "designated shooter."
• Store fireworks in a cool, dry place. Don't save fireworks from season to season.
“Recharge your batteries and enjoy our nation’s birthday, but use sound risk management and common sense so we can all come back and keep flying, fighting, and winning,” said U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Bradley Sutter, 673d Air Base Wing Safety Office occupational safety technician.
When grilling outside, ensure the grill is far enough away from the house, deck railings and overhanging branches and never leave the grill unattended. Keep children and pets away from the area, and remove any residue or fat buildups, as they can attract bears.
If camping, hiking or fishing, bear spray is an effective deterrent to have and is a legal item to carry on both on and off the installation.
Sutter said bear and moose are very active and many have young they will violently protect.
When hiking, travel with a group when possible and make noise.
The JBER iSportsman website is a useful resource to show which areas are open for recreation, and includes alert notification of which areas to avoid. For additional information, visit www.jber.isportsman.net or call 552-8609.
While air temperature may be nice this time of year, Sutter cautions that water temperatures are still cold enough to cause hypothermia and death.
The common theme is to be alert and have situational awareness.
“You, our people, are our most valuable resource, one that cannot be easily replaced,” Sutter saidn. “Think about all the time and effort you have put in to get where you are. There isn’t a direct replacement for you that doesn’t take away from somewhere else, should you suddenly be removed from service. We need you for the success of the mission.”