There's nothing quite like the August long weekend to inspire some serious, warm weather enjoyment.
Sure, Canada Day gets us out in patriotic droves, and Labour Day closes out the summer nicely, but this weekend is all about enjoying the dog days of summer in all their B.C. glory.
So, take advantage of the extra time off - if you get it - and the fantastic weather, and find a patio, park, beach, boat or other locale to enjoy some summer relaxation.
Every year around this time, we urge readers to get out and enjoy what this region has to offer ... but we'd be remiss if we didn't issue a safety reminder at the same time. Long weekends - and summer generally - come with their own dangers.
For example, according to the Canadian Safe Boating Council, 40 per cent of boating-related fatalities are linked to drinking.
Driving and alcohol are a deadly mix as well, of course - and alcohol tends to come out during long weekend barbecues and gatherings.
Open windows in homes can lead to accidental falls for children, or robberies; closed windows in cars can lead to death or serious injury.
There's a summertime spike in accidents related to motorcycles, bicycles, rollerbladers, skateboarders and, yes, even pedestrians - there's just more of them out and about this time of year.
And it wouldn't be summer if we didn't hear about an unprepared day hiker caught out in the woods without sufficient supplies and lost overnight.
It all sounds a bit dreary and, yes, perhaps even morbid, but the truth is that a little precaution, planning and common sense will go a long way in keeping you and your family safe - and enjoying the summer.
