R 121400Z DEC 97 ZYB
FM CMC WASHINGTON DC//SD//
TO ALMAR
UNCLAS //N05000//
ALMAR 413/97
MSGID/GENADMIN/CMC SD//
SUBJ/HOLIDAY SAFETY//
RMKS/1.  THE HOLIDAY SEASON EVOKES MANY PLEASANT IMAGES, TO INCLUDE
TRAVEL ACROSS A PLACID WINTER LANDSCAPE, BRIGHTLY LIT HOLIDAY
GREENERY AND CELEBRATIONS WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS.  HEIGHTENED
AWARENESS AND A FEW SIMPLE PRECAUTIONS CAN INSURE THAT THESE EVENTS
IN REALITY ARE NOT SPOILED BY UNNECESSARY MISFORTUNE.
2.  FOR EXAMPLE, WHEN YOU INTEND TO TRAVEL, USE OF A PRE-TRIP
CHECKLIST TO ANTICIPATE POTENTIAL PROBLEMS AND INSURE A SAFE AND
HASSLE FREE ROUND TRIP.  KEY CONSIDERATIONS INCLUDE:
   A.  INSURE TRAVEL ROUTES ARE PLANNED IN ADVANCE.
   B.  CHECK WEATHER FORECASTS FOR THE PLANNED ROUTE AND
DESTINATION.
   C.  PLAN REASONABLE DEPARTURE AND ARRIVAL TIMES.  THIS AVOIDS
SPEEDING AND FATIGUE AND ALLOWS FOR UNEXPECTED BAD WEATHER AND
DELAYS.
   D.  PLAN WAY POINTS AND TIME FOR MEALS AND REST STOPS.  DRIVERS
SHOULD ALLOW A 15 MINUTE REST STOP EVERY TWO HOURS.
   E.  EVALUATE VEHICLE OPERATING CONDITION FOR THE DISTANCE,
WEATHER, AND ROAD CONDITIONS ALONG THE ROUTE.
   F.  CHECK CURRENT VEHICLE INSURANCE AND VALID DRIVERS' LICENSE.
   G.  USE APPROPRIATE SAFETY EQUIPMENT THROUGHOUT THE TRIP, I.E.,
SEAT BELTS AND INFANT / CHILD SEATS.
   H.  ESTIMATE ADEQUATE FUNDS TO COVER EXPENSES THROUGHOUT THE
TRIP.
3.  THE SNOW AND ICE OF THAT PLACID WINTER LANDSCAPE CAN ALSO MAKE
FOR SOME HARROWING MOMENTS IF TAKEN FOR GRANTED.  TO AVOID THAT
UNINTENDED "HALF GAINER" OFF AN ICY DOORSTEP INTO THE BUSHES BY THE
DRIVEWAY, OBSERVE THE FOLLOWING PRECAUTIONS:
   A.  REMOVE ICE AND SNOW FROM STEPS, SIDEWALKS AND DRIVEWAYS.
   B.  APPLY SALT ON SIDEWALKS, DRIVEWAYS, ETC.
   C.  WALK MORE SLOWLY AND PAY ATTENTION TO YOUR FOOTING.
   D.  MOVE THAT LADDER, INSTEAD OF STRETCHING, WHEN PUTTING UP
THOSE OUTSIDE DECORATIONS.
   E.  AVOID WORKING ON ROOFS DURING WINTER MONTHS UNLESS YOU ARE
SANTA CLAUS.
4.  WHILE BRIGHTLY LIT DISPLAYS CAN CREATE A WARM HOLIDAY ATMOSPHERE
IN YOUR HOME, SUCH DECORATIONS CAN ALSO BECOME UNINTENDED BONFIRES IN
THE MIDDLE OF YOUR LIVING ROOM.  TO PREVENT THAT IMPROMPTU VISIT BY
THE LOCAL FIRE BRIGADE, HERE ARE A FEW SUGGESTIONS TO "DECK THE
HALLS" MORE SAFELY.
   A.  INSURE YOU GET THE FRESHEST GREENERY POSSIBLE, IF USING
LIVE FOLIAGE IN YOUR DECORATIONS.
   B.  RETARD TREE DRYING BY KEEPING THE BASE SUBMERGED IN WATER,
AND KEEP ALL TRUNCATED PLANTS AWAY FROM HEAT SOURCES WHICH COULD
IGNITE SLOWLY WITHERING LEAVES OR NEEDLES.
   C.  CHECK LIGHTS FOR BROKEN, CRACKED OR LOOSE SOCKETS, WORN
INSULATION OR BARE WIRES.
   D.  AVOID PLACING LARGE DECORATIONS WHERE THEY COULD BLOCK AN
EXIT IF THEY CAUGHT FIRE AND / OR FELL.
   E.  USE ONLY UNDERWRITERS LABORATORIES (UL) APPROVED EQUIPMENT.
   F.  DON'T USE INDOOR LIGHTS FOR THE OUTSIDE.
   G.  TURN OFF OR UNPLUG HOLIDAY LIGHTS BEFORE GOING TO BED.
5.  AND FINALLY, AS YOU GATHER TO CELEBRATE THIS JOYOUS HOLIDAY WITH
FAMILY AND FRIENDS, DON'T DRINK AND DRIVE - JUST DON'T DO IT.  IT IS
INEXCUSABLE, IRRESPONSIBLE, AND THE LOSS OF LIFE AND ASSOCIATED
MISERY EXTENDS FAR BEYOND THE DRUNK AND HIS IMMEDIATE VICTIMS ALONG
THE ROADSIDE.  THE TRAGEDY ALSO ABSORBS AND PUNISHES THE DRUNK
DRIVER'S FAMILY AND FRIENDS AS WELL AS THOSE OF THE INNOCENTS
INJURED OR KILLED BY THE UNCONSCIONABLE ACT OF DRINKING AND DRIVING.
PLAN FOR A DESIGNATED DRIVER OR USE OF A TAXI OR OTHER PUBLIC
TRANSPORTATION.
6.  BEST WISHES FOR A SAFE AND HAPPY HOLIDAY SEASON.//
BT