Captain Winton Smith, Commanding Officer Published by the NBSD Safety Office

January – February –March 2012

Winter Safety

NBSD Safety

Quarterly

Newsletter

Welcoming the

New Year…

2012!

Safety Stand Down at Naval Base San Diego

The next Safety Stand Down will be held Wednesday February 15, 2012 at the Base Theater,

Building 71. There will be two sessions, one at 1000 and the other at 1300. Guest speakers will

cover safety-related topics pertaining to traffic safety, DUI prevention, and home safety.

All hands are warmly invited to attend.

Here are 6 tips for feeling safe and sane

on the road:

1. Don't advertise your travels. Avoid leaving road maps

in plain sight inside your parked car; instead, try to look like

a local, even if your license plate isn't. If your vehicle is

laden with luggage, and especially if you have gear stowed

on the roof, park where you can see it from a restaurant or

store. At night, take everything that is in plain view with you

into your motel room.

2. Look like you know where you're going. When

sightseeing, avoid standing on street corners wearing a

befuddled expression while staring at a guidebook or map.

Get a few bearings before you venture out of the car.

3. Get an upstairs room. At roadside motels, consider

getting a room on the second floor so you can scan the

parking lot before heading down to your car.

4. Consider the refund policy. If you stop at an

inexpensive mom and pop motel, and there is a sign at the

check-in counter that says, "No Refunds for Early Check-

Out," consider moving on. At the very least, ask to see the

room before you pay.

5. Use the truck stops. Travel and truck centers are some

of the safest places to stop and rest. They have 24-hour

security and professional drivers who are used to staying

aware and protective of their vehicles. The only drawback is

that they aren't very quiet. You'll have to get used to the

"big-rig lullaby," because most drivers leave their engines

running even when parked for the night.

6. Chat up the locals. Get local information whenever you

can. Coffee shops, hair salons and taverns are all good

places to chat casually with residents. Being aware of local

current events will not only help you have more fun, it can

also keep you safe.

Vehicle Maintenance Checklist

While safety is an important consideration all year

long, there are certainly some auto maintenance

jobs and safety checks that are specific to chilled air

and winter driving that are a good idea to check

into before we're knee deep in the season.

>Inspect your tires: The last line of defense between

you and an oak tree are your tires. Winter is not the

time to get cheap about your tires, so take the time

to check the tread depth. The old penny test is as

reliable as anything to find out whether your treads

are ready for winter action. Also, check your tire

pressure; they lose a little pressure when it gets cold,

so pump 'em up.

>Replace your wipers: It takes wipers that are in top

shape to keep your windshield clean and safe.

>Inspect your brakes: Brakes are not a good area to

cut corners. Be sure your brakes have enough meat

left to get you through the season.

>Check your windshield washer fluid: You'll be using

lots of washer fluid as you try to keep your

windshield sparkly. *Tip: Don't fill your washer fluid

reservoir with anything except washer fluid, it won't

freeze!

>Clean your battery posts: Starting problems are a

bummer any time of year. Regularly treating your

battery to a cleaning can keep electrical gremlins

at bay.

As with any change of season, you should go to

your regular maintenance log to make sure you are

up to date on the maintenance items that should

be taken care of throughout the year. The change

of seasons is a great time to go through some once-

a-year or twice-a-year auto maintenance tasks.

SAFE DRIVING

THROUGH THE

WINTER

Vehicle Maintenance and

Safety Tips to Keep You

and Your Family Safe on

a Roadtrip

SAFETY TIPS IN PARKING

LOTS & GARAGES

Park in open, well-lighted, and populated areas near your destination

Avoid parking near trucks, vans, dumpsters, and other objects that obstruct visibility and provide hiding places

Report any lights that are out to the facility operator

Never leave any valuables in plain sight

Don’t overload your arms with packages. Use a cart or make another trip

Have your key in hand so you can open the door immediately when you return to your vehicle

Lock the doors immediately after getting in your vehicle

Ask a co-worker or security guard to escort you to your vehicle if you are uncomfortable about walking alone

It is important to be alert and extra cautious in these areas as criminals look for people who are distracted and vulnerable in

order to take advantage of them. Be aware of your surroundings at all times!

Utilize the Naval Safety Center for great information. You'll find

articles, presentations, training aids, safety tips and checklists on

all sorts of topics including the “TRIPS” toolbox with various

safety checklists and information for traveling. Visit

www.safetycenter.navy.mil

Buzzed Driving is DRUNK Driving!

Through the holiday festivities and into the New Year, plan ahead and prevent DUIs

and alcohol related injuries

According to research by the National Highway Traffic Safety

Administration, every 45 minutes or 32 times a day, someone in

the United States dies in an alcohol impaired driving crash. The

holiday season between Thanksgiving and New Year’s can be

one of the deadliest times on America’s roadways due to an

increase in drunk driving.

In fact, New Year's Day, 2009, 468 people were killed in crashes

on America's roadways. Of those fatalities, 40 percent were

killed in crashed that involved a driver or motorcycle rider with

a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 or greater.

Remember Buzzed Driving is Drunk Driving. The consequences

of drinking and driving can be costly no matter how many drinks

you’ve had. Violators often face jail time, higher insurance

rates, and dozens of other unanticipated expenses —including

attorney’s fees, court costs, car towing, repairs and lost work

time.

As we bring in the New Year, be sure to always designate a

sober driver and never operate a vehicle after you have been

drinking. Your life and the lives of others depend on it!

DON’T EVER GET BEHIND THE WHEEL

OF A VEHICLE WHEN YOU ARE

IMPAIRED. ALWAYS:

Plan a safe way to get home

before your festivities begin

Before drinking, designate a

sober driver and leave your car

keys at home

If you are impaired, use a taxi,

call a sober friend or family

member, or use public

transportation to make sure

you get home safely