403rd Wing Safety gears up for Fall hazards

As autumn settles across the Mississippi Gulf Coast, bringing welcome relief from relentless summer heat, the 403rd Wing Safety Office is urging Citizen Airmen and their families to maintain vigilant operational risk management both on and off duty.

With major seasonal events kicking off, hunting seasons opening, and holiday celebrations on the horizon, safety personnel warn that off-duty mishaps historically spike during the final quarter of the year. For the 403rd Wing; home to the 815th Airlift Squadron “Flying Jennies” and the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron “Hurricane Hunters,” any preventable injury directly degrades mission readiness and combat capability.

“Our Reserve Citizen Airmen balance demanding civilian careers, family obligations, and critical military taskings,” said Lt. Col. Sean Cross, 403rd Wing safety chief. “Whether you’re on the flightline, driving down Highway 90, or preparing a holiday meal, situational awareness and deliberate risk management have to go with you everywhere.”

That awareness becomes especially critical as the season gets underway and local roadways fill with heavy festival traffic. Thousands of classic car enthusiasts flock to the region for Cruising the Coast, creating dense bottlenecks along coastal arteries; especially U.S. Highway 90.

“During Cruising the Coast, there is a massive influx of vehicles and a lot of pedestrians crossing the roadway at unapproved crosswalks,” said Tech. Sgt. Alexander Perry, 403rd Wing occupational safety specialist. “People are distracted looking at classic cars, and pedestrians aren't paying attention. If they aren’t paying attention, it’s imperative that you are.”

Perry also pointed out the mechanical realities of vintage vehicles sharing modern roadways with commuter traffic.

“These are classic automobiles, and their safety features are not up to modern vehicle standards,” Perry explained. “Their stopping distances can be significantly longer, and their overall crash ratings are much lower than modern cars.”

To manage these seasonal roadway risks, Perry points to the foundational safety concept known as the hierarchy of controls.

“If you aren’t actively heading out to see the cars, apply the hierarchy of controls,” Perry advised. “Use elimination—physically remove the hazard by avoiding U.S. Highway 90 entirely. Or use substitution—replace the hazard by taking an alternate route like Interstate 10 or back roads. By bypassing Highway 90, you remove yourself from the danger and reduce overall traffic congestion.”

Beyond traffic congestion, local seasonal weather shifts introduce subtle, often-overlooked maintenance issues beneath the vehicle itself. When cooler air arrives, tire pressures drop as the air inside condenses.

“Around here, we don't get extreme cold right away—it’s more of a 'cool snap'—but that first temperature drop will cause tire pressures to dip and dashboard monitoring lights to start flashing,” Perry said. “It is essential that Airmen check their tire pressure as soon as the weather cools off.”

Perry emphasized treating vehicle maintenance with the same discipline applied to military aviation pre-flight procedures.

“Check your tire pressure before you head to work and before you start driving, just like a pre-flight inspection,” said Perry. “Some people think, ‘Won’t the air warm up once I start driving?’ It does expand with friction, but the second you pull out of your driveway, you’re already driving on under-inflated tires with compromised handling and increased blowout risk.”

Drivers can verify exact manufacturer specifications right on the vehicle frame.

“The proper inflation specification is mandated by the Department of Transportation and is stamped on the placard inside the driver’s door jamb,” Perry added. “Notice that it specifiescoldtire pressure. If your door says 35 PSI cold, that’s what it needs to measure before the vehicle moves. If you’re ever unsure, stop by a reputable tire facility and have them set your pressures correctly.”

Cross said that shifting seasonal temperatures also produce dense morning sea fog along Interstate 10 and Highway 90, creating treacherous driving conditions for commuting members. He advises Airmen to reduce speeds, turn on low-beam headlights, increase following distances, and prepare for hydroplaning on coastal roadways prone to standing water.

As October comes to an end, driver vigilance must extend from major thoroughfares directly into residential subdivisions and base housing, where excited trick-or-treaters fill neighborhood streets after dark.

“In October, we have Halloween, and there are lots of kids running around late into the evening,” said Perry. “They’re excited, and they are definitely not paying attention to oncoming traffic or roadways. Because they aren't paying attention, drivers must be hyper-vigilant, especially during twilight hours and after dusk when visibility drops fast.”

Perry urges motorists to eliminate phone distractions, drastically reduce speeds below posted residential limits, and anticipate children darting out from between parked vehicles. Parents should also ensure children wear high-visibility costumes, utilize reflective tape or glow sticks, and inspect walkways to prevent tripping hazards. Once the October celebrations pass, attention turns outdoors as Mississippi’s pine woodlands and coastal marshes open for deer and waterfowl hunting seasons.

“Tree-stand falls are the single most common injury in hunting,” Perry stressed. “Before you ever use a stand, inspect every strap, cable, and component for wear or weather damage. Never climb without a full-body harness secured from the ground up.”

Firearm discipline remains equally paramount, regardless of an Airman's level of outdoor experience. “Always practice firearm safety fundamentals,” Perry said. “Wear appropriate high-visibility hunter orange whenever required. Always verify your target, and just as importantly, check the areapastyour target. If you miss your shot, where is that bullet going to end up? Confirm exactly what you are aiming at so you never mistake another hunter or a piece of high-visibility gear for game.”

When hunting shifts toward waterfowl in bayous and coastal marshes, watercraft safety introduces another critical layer of precaution.

“If you’re hunting waterfowl, make sure proper swimming training has been completed and that everyone onboard has an approved personal flotation device,” said Perry. “Never overlook proper hearing protection either, as gunfire in duck blinds and enclosed marsh setups can cause immediate, permanent acoustic trauma.”

Perry also reminded service members to satisfy all state certification and licensing standards before venturing into the field.

“Most states require hunting and boating safety certification courses before issuing permits,” he said. “Make sure to obtain your proper state hunting and fishing licenses as this coursework covers vital survival and safety fundamentals that keep you alive in the field.”

As autumn draws toward a close, family gatherings shift the safety spotlight back into the home, where Thanksgiving culinary traditions like deep-frying turkeys carry substantial fire and burn risks.

“A lot of people love to fry turkeys, but the hazards involved with boiling oil are substantial,” Perry explained. “Looking at the hierarchy of controls, the top recommendation from the safety office is elimination: physically remove the hazard by using an oil-less outdoor air fryer instead of a vat of boiling oil. Or consider substitution: replace the hazard entirely and cook a ham—personally, I think ham tastes better anyway.”

For those who do choose to use traditional outdoor deep fryers, strict precautions are mandatory: fryers must only be operated outdoors on solid, level ground away from eaves, carports, and wooden decks. Turkeys must be completely thawed and dried to prevent violent boil-overs, and oil levels must be accurately measured prior to heating.

Perry concluded with a simple, practical piece of advice for every household heading into the holidays. “Buy a fire extinguisherbeforeyou need a fire extinguisher,” Perry said. “Don't wait for an emergency to find out you aren't equipped for one. By anticipating risks, making smart choices, and looking out for our families and wingmen, we keep the 403rd Wing ready to answer the nation's call.”

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