Enjoy the Fourth – And remember: Safety first

The weatherman is forecasting a truly glorious Fourth of July weekend, with lots of sun and temperatures that will be warm, but not scorching.

Locally, Winthrop residents will celebrate the holiday in our traditional way. Although there will be no bonfire on Yirrell Beach this year, there are great activities to look forward to with the Horribles Parade (Sunday starting at 9 a.m.) and the Fireworks Display (Sunday at 9:15 p.m.). Both events will provide a lot of fun and enjoyment for families.

As always, we thank the Horribles Parade organizers and the Fireworks Committee for their diligent efforts in carrying on these holiday traditions.

However, we would be remiss if we did not remind our readers to exercise extreme care when they partake of any activity, whether it be a public event or an individual one, such as a cookout or boat outing.

There are two great temptations during the Fourth of July that together add up to no good, and we specifically are referring to excessive alcohol consumption and fireworks. Besides being just plain stupid, both activities are illegal, the former when driving a car or a boat and the latter, period. Friends and family members must be ready to step up to the plate to prevent loved ones from hurting themselves or others if they are drunk or engaging in reckless behavior.

None of us wants to be a statistic or to have a loved one become a statistic, but invariably too many Americans will die or be seriously injured because of poor judgment during this long holiday weekend. But if each of us does his or her part to ensure a Safe and Sane Fourth of July in our little corner of the world, we can keep Winthrop from becoming an entry on the stat sheet.