Happy 4th of July!

Everyone, please keep safe while enjoying those fireworks. Get out to the parks, beaches, and other gathering spots early. You know that everything is going to be packed and crowded. Keep small children away from harmful fireworks, please. Monitor your children and others’ children at all times. Remember, when it’s too quiet, they may be up to something…

Please make sure that you and your family have plenty of water. If the temperature is warm where you are, it’s probably going to be hotter than you think. Some areas may need the rain, but I hope that the rain holds off just until the holiday is over. That also reminds me to remind you all to be careful of lighting fireworks near dry brush. If fireworks are not allowed in your area, please don’t light them.

Don’t drink and drive. Every year a number of people die during automobile accidents around the holidays. Even if you think that you are okay to drive, don’t do it. A smart person asks someone else who has not been drinking to do the driving. If you are with someone who has been drinking and they want to or insist on driving, be brave and don’t get in the vehicle. You may be saving your own life. Don’t worry about hurting anyone’s feelings, and don’t believe that person when they say that they are okay to drive. People who end up in fatal car accidents due to drinking and driving were on the road because they thought that they could handle their liquor, beer, or whatever.

Okay. That’s enough preaching from me. Have a safe and happy 4th of July!