With the May long weekend behind us, the Upper Fraser Valley has firmly moved into its most dangerous season.
Oh, how we long to have a season with no tragic news stories. No crashes, no fires, no deaths, no crying parents and teens filled with regret.
However, if history offers any clue to the future, there will likely be ample drunk and stoned drivers, loud and obnoxious partiers, lost and possibly injured hikers, tipped canoes with cold paddlers, and wayward boaters.
Not only do these problems overtax the emergency workers and volunteer rescuers who run to help in times of trouble, they put the entire public at risk.
Yes, there will be extra police presence, and more road blocks to help deal with the influx of troublemakers, from the purely naive who don't think anything could happen to them, to those who carelessly put others' lives at risk.
At the outset of every summer season, as sun worshippers and thrill seekers flock to Agassiz and Harrison in search of a little downtime, we hope that calm heads will prevail over those who wish to cause trouble. We hope that visitors and locals alike keep safety a priority, even in times of spontaneity.
Because when it comes to summertime safety, the rules were not made to be broken.
Drive and operate watercraft sober.
Wear a PFD when boating.
Stay hydrated.
Hike with others, know your travel plans and pack safety gear.
Know your limits when swimming, biking and enjoying the outdoors.
Using just a bit of caution and care can keep your beautiful summer from becoming a tragic news story. Most of these tragedies are preventable, and all of them start with one person making a decision.
This summer, make the right ones.
news@ahobserver.com