Warren has new slogan; 'Wear it, and wear it right!' Published March 14, 2008 By Staff Reports F.E. WARREN AIR FORCE BASE, Wyo. -- A device designed for personal protection in a vehicle may result in death, a safety official here said Tuesday. "Seatbelts save lives but only when worn properly," said Troy Weaver, 90th Space Wing traffic safety manager. "The new base slogan is, 'Wear it, and wear it right!'" Recent experiences show that sitting in a reclined position while wearing a seatbelt exposes an individual to two significant risks, he said. The rider could slip under the belt in a crash and suffer serious injury, including decapitation. Or, if the shoulder harness is not resting on the shoulder, the rider is taking a risk of being "clothes lined," resulting in significant spinal injuries and even instant death, Mr. Weaver said. The average use of seatbelts at Warren is 99.94 percent, Mr. Weaver said. However, all new seatbelt programs and campaigns will focus about wearing seatbelts properly. "The belt should be snug across one's hips, not the belly," said Mike Woods, 90th SW ground safety manager. "This position will prevent serious abdominal injuries in a crash." This is especially important for younger people just graduating from child and booster seats, Mr. Woods added. The shoulder harness should be across one's shoulder, touching the body. The belt should never cross the neck or be tucked behind the back. "Simply put, never recline to the point that the seatbelt no longer touches your body," Mr. Woods said. Mr. Woods said the base has a much better seatbelt usage rate than the general public. But if the Warren family doesn't make the proper wear of seatbelts a priority in their lives, the usage rate will not matter and people may suffer tragic consequences. "Check yourselves, your wingmen and their children," Mr. Woods said. "Remember, wear it, and wear it right."