Summer!

Picnics, gatherings, holidays, outdoor activities like ball, swimming, hiking...but let's get where we're going safely.

Allergies in the family? Epipens, benydril, what ever precautions you need to take.

Take a first aid class, learn CPR, a liitle prep can make summer a little nicer, or even save a life.

Highways.

We know traffic cones are the state flower of West Virginia, Ohio and Pennsylvania...and maybe of forty-seven other states.

So, watch that passing on the right. Especially trucks. And slow down in construction zones or where vehicles are answering a highway emergency. Slow down, save a life. If you have to stop and make a report for running over one of those guys (or gals) with those goofy reflective vests, you really think you'll save the couple of minutes speeding or cutting in front were gonna give you?

We're all in a rush to get that prime beachside spot to lay our towels on...but let's not be in a rush NOT to get there. Oops.

Stay off those phones. Conditions on the road change faster than you can read your girlfriend or boyfriend's last text.

Now, note, lots of rain in the early summer, late fall, right? If your vehicle is the other side of a lot of rain or mist, nobody sees it. They may see your headlights or taillights. And if your vehicle is white or silver or gray, that might be all they see. Put them lights on, rain or snow.

Now, I know a lot of hard and fast rules of the road have fallen by the, eh, wayside. Or should I say, to the roadside?

Hmmm, you're old, don't see as well, don't have the reflects you used to.

So you travel down that ol' country road taking you home, West Virginia, at five, ten, or more MPH under the speed limit. Seven or more miles of two lane highway with a double yellow line all the way. Finally, a break. A stretch of two lane road bound your way, plus the oncoming lane. You can...

...finally go fast because you're not afraid of running off the side of the road? Or...

...keep to the right and at your slow speed, letting the half dozen or more vehicles trapped behind you pass you before another stretch of highway with no passing.

Hey, no one wants our old arses to run off the highway. But don't block 'em when they can pass. And if five or more cars are behind you and you're not keeping the speed limit, pull aside first chance, let 'em pass. That used to be the rules of the road.

Once you're at the beach...got little ones? Not as easy to find a drowning little kid in four feet of lake or beach water as you would think. Waterwings, life vests, whatever it takes to keep 'em breathing, their heads above water, and where you can pull'em out in an emergency.

DO NOT LEAVE LITTLE KIDS OR PETS IN A LOCKED HOT CAR. I have instruments to take out your windows. I will use them. And you will find you are on the wrong side of the law, and financial responsibility, not me. Your kids' lives are more important to me than your wallet. And if your kid is looking distressed before rescue gets there with a door bladder, BAM!

Keep hydrated. Water or sports drinks. My rule is two to one, twice the water as electrolyte replacement like my favorite, Power Ade. Electrolyte replacement saves lives.

Take breaks from strenuous activity, listen to your body.

Look twice in traffic. Keep your kids hydrated.

Let other vehicles in front of you if its not interrupting the proper flow of traffic, especially at congested attractions or events.

Smile more.

Listen to more music, be more polite to your neighbors, do a lot of fun things and do some things that are more like, huh, unpaid volunteering to make your world a nicer place.

And have you a great, great summer.