Air Force wraps up summer safety, begins fall campaign Published Sept. 5, 2008 WASHINGTON (AFPN) -- The Air Force wrapped up the 101 Critical Days of Summer safety campaign over Labor Day weekend, ending the safest campaign in the last 10 years. Sixteen Airmen died in the period between Memorial Day and Labor Day, whereas in 2006, the previous safest summer season of the decade, 17 Airmen died in the same period. The Air Force averaged 24 deaths during the past 10 101 Critical Days of Summer periods. During this year's 101 Critical Days of Summer, the service experienced six automobile deaths, five motorcycle deaths, four sports- and recreation-related deaths, and one death as a result of a home-maintenance injury. Since the first 101 Critical Days of Summer campaign in 1967, Air Force leaders have put an extra emphasis on safety during the period between Memorial Day and Labor Day, when people are generally more active and in the outdoors more often than the rest of the year. In keeping with a safety mindset, the Department of Defense is placing focus on private motor vehicle-related mishaps during the summer and winter months as a result of significant spikes. Statistics show that across the services PMV-related mishaps not only rose during the traditional campaign months, but also increased significantly during the months of September through November, up to 40 percent above the 101 Critical Days campaign. So, a Fall Safety Campaign kicked off using the lessons learned from the summer months. The campaign provides a springboard for attacking the problem of fatalities and continuing the momentum of mishap prevention. It started the day after Labor Day and goes through the end of November. This effort is aimed at being a true joint campaign with the Air Force as the lead service. Airmen can expect aggressive discussion on personal safety both at work and at home, and are encouraged to maintain a high level of vigilance in all they do. Comment on this story (comments may be published on Air Force Link) View the comments/letters page