I write this shortly after having signed out a naval message discussing Labor Day safety, which brings both this weekend’s holiday and safety to my mind as singly important. 

Today’s themes are recurring ones:  holiday, safety, and taking care of each other.  At the risk of repeating myself, these are life skills—they’re vital to you, not just to the Navy, although their importance to the mission can’t be understated.

First and most important, safety must be paramount as part of whatever you do.  I can’t cover every situation, but let me visit three areas that typically present problems on Labor Day:  water craft and water safety (and drinking); driving (and drinking); and grilling (and drinking).

Summer presents a fabulous opportunity to spend time together with family; one great way to do that is by spending the day on the water in a boat.  Jet skis and other water craft are equally popular. 

Swimming, fishing, and water skiing are just a few of the many activities you can enjoy here in the Northwest.  Like anything, however, keep safety as your first consideration.  Your command’s safety officer or the Regional Safety Office has far more details than this column has room for, but let me offer some general ideas. 

Check your boat or watercraft before you set sail; keep engines and other parts in good working order.  Consider asking the Coast Guard to safety check your vessel. 

Carry life jackets and floatation devices for all on board and don’t forget about children—special sized floatation may make a difference in their survival. 

Be careful while fueling—both before and after:  gasoline vapors are highly flammable; smoking can instantly cause an explosion.  Tides and currents deserve your respect; their power can turn a fun day tragic.  Two final notes about water safety:  first, don’t drink and drive while you’re on the water—it’s as fatal a combination as when you are on the roads.  Second, remember the sun:  you need sunscreen with UV protection for your skin as well as sunglasses to protect your eyes.

If you’re going to drive this weekend, do so safely. 

First, your vehicles should always be in good working order, even if you’re just driving around the corner to buy milk.  A vehicle in safe operating condition is especially important if you plan to drive long distance.  Check or change your oil, check tire pressure, get your brakes tested, have a full tank of gas, and make sure all the bulbs in your lights work.

Second, have a plan.  Choose your route, plan for delays, know where to buy gas and know where to rest.  Third, get rest. 

Don’t try to drive, for example, from the Pacific Northwest to Las Vegas in one night.  Fatigue can be as deadly as alcohol, which brings me to my final point:  don’t drink and drive.  One drink impairs judgment and makes you dangerous to yourself, your family, and other drivers.  My message isn’t not to drink (although that is always an option you have); the message is to drink responsibly and not to drive if you have been drinking.

Labor Day weekend is often a time to enjoy a great piece of poultry or fish hot off the grill.  Like everything else, though, be safe while doing it.  Here are just a few ideas.  Keep your children a safe distance from the grill.  Never use gasoline on a grill. 

Once lit, don’t add extra lighter fluid.  Keep the grill away from the side of the house, fences, and other structures; stories abound about folks who’ve inadvertently lit their house on fire using the grill. 

Finally, keep a hose or a fire extinguisher handy.  If nothing else, you may get the opportunity to put out the neighbor’s fire!

No matter what you do, please use the proper safety equipment.  Whether it’s sunscreen at the beach or wearing gloves while driving your motorcycle, personal protective equipment, better known as PPE, is a must.

Two last notes.  First, thank you for your service.  Whether you are a Sailor, Marine, civil service employee, or contractor, thank you for serving the nation; your dedicated service makes our liberties and freedoms a reality. 

A special thank you goes to our family members:  your unique sacrifice and labor guarantees those who serve the ability to do so.  Second, please take care of the IAs and the families of those deployed. 

This holiday offers you the opportunity to share your barbecue with the family who may have a member overseas, or otherwise involve them in fun activities.  Keep them close.

Above all, please take care of each other.  I’d rather wait in line at the gate on Tuesday morning because everyone’s returning to work than reading a situation report that tells me we’ve lost a shipmate and friend in some sort of tragic—and usually preventable—accident.