“It’s Fourth of July weekend, or, as I call it, Exploding Christmas.” — Stephen Colbert

Heading into the Fourth of July weekend, here’s wishing everyone a fun, safe holiday.
The best way to insure that is for everyone to use common sense.
Stay hydrated. Wear sunscreen.
Don’t consume alcohol and operate a vehicle, including a motorboat.
Be careful with fireworks. They can start fires and injure people. The most common fireworks-related injuries are burns, mostly to hands and fingers. Remember to shoot fireworks in a wide open area with plenty of room; light that fuse and get away.
Great Bend’s professional fireworks show is always a good bet. It will be held Monday, July 4, at the Great Bend Expo complex west of town. This annual event is sponsored by the City, and Sunflower Diversified Services coordinates the fundraising.
However you celebrate Independence Day, it’s a good time to observe the birth of our nation and reflect on the great freedom we enjoy thanks to the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776.