Today for many people begins the Fourth of July holiday. Falling as it does on a Thursday, many have turned the holiday into a four- or five-day weekend. And even many of those who are working Wednesday and Friday will celebrate the holiday with cookouts, parties and fireworks.
And accompanying all this often is alcohol. Whether it is beer, wine or liquor, this region is particularly fond of ratcheting up any party with a few libations. While this newspaper is not condemning the use of alcohol responsibly, overindulgence and carelessness can combine to create some dire consequences.
Fireworks and alcohol make poor bedfellows, and anyone planning on lighting their own fireworks should also plan on staying sober. Impaired judgment around explosives can lead people to take risks they might not otherwise take and can result in trips to the emergency room — sure to put a damper on any party — burns, other injuries or worse. Lighting fireworks while intoxicated may also embolden someone to get a little pyrotechnic revenge on a neighbor or acquaintance, and that can lead to all manner of trouble, including jail time.
Just as dangerous is hopping behind the wheel of your vehicle after enjoying a few drinks. Even if your destination is just a few blocks away, this is always a bad idea. For the reasons mentioned above, alcohol and driving are a deadly combination. One need not look any further than the recent stories about the St. John woman who allegedly took three lives — and the life of an unborn child — after making the decision to drive while intoxicated. Because of that one bad decision, countless lives, including that of the driver, have been changed forever.
At the very least, increased DWI checkpoints should discourage would-be drunk drivers from taking any chances. Fireworks displays do not look as nice when viewed through prison bars.
So this Independence Day, be safe and make the founding fathers proud.