Air Force leaders are reminding airmen to be careful this summer as part of the service’s “Critical Days of Summer Safety Campaign.”

Between Memorial Day and Labor Day, more airmen die in off-duty mishaps than at any other time of the year, according to a memo to airmen from Air Force Secretary Michael Donley, Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz and Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force James Roy.

“Last summer, off-duty mishaps claimed the lives of 18 airmen,” the memo says. “Sadly, many of these mishaps were preventable. Seventy-two percent of these fatalities involved private motor vehicles, and almost half of these fatalities were alcohol-related. In some cases, the victims did not wear seatbelts.”

The reason for the uptick in off-duty fatalities in the summer is that people want to enjoy the nice weather by doing riskier activities, including boating, bungee jumping and skydiving, said Maj. Gen. Gregory A. Feest, the Air Force safety chief.

“My biggest worry is what goes on in automobiles and motorcycles — in particular, this time of year, motorcycles,” Feest said. “Motorcycles are inherently dangerous, and we lose airmen every year to motorcycle accidents, and so my job is to make sure that we are highlighting safety and prevention when airmen go out and ride their motorcycles during the summer months.”

It is important for airmen to remember to buckle up or wear helmets, Feest said.Read more from the AirForceTimes here

Motorcyclists participate in a safety ride May 18 at Dyess Air Force Base, Texas. The safety briefing was hosted by the Green Knights Motorcycle Club and encouraged safety through mentorship during the 101 Critical Days of Summer. Photo by Airman 1st Class Jonathan Stefanko / Air Force