It’s a busy time of year in our neck of the woods. It may only be early March, but the weather is nice and people are already out and about enjoying everything from Mardi Gras parades to some early trips to the beach. But, let’s remember to be careful as we get back into our post-winter recreation.

Maybe it’s a product of getting older or being a parent; maybe it has to do with working in the media and seeing wrecks, fires and other disasters up close. Maybe it’s a combination of the three, but I have noticed myself become increasingly aware of just how quickly a good time can go terribly wrong. Just yesterday, we saw a number of high school kids injured when a vehicle collided with a parade in Gulf Shores. Almost the same situation occurred last week in New Orleans during a parade.

Now, even though these accidents happened during Mardi Gras – which we all know can get a little out of hand sometimes – it doesn’t mean it was anything more than just an accident. I’ll never forget, as a kid, my dad lecturing me about driving and I would get so annoyed and tell him not to worry. I was a good driver. I’ve come to realize it wasn’t necessarily me he was worried about. You just never know what might happen, and sometimes something as simple as a trip to the store can end in a visit to the hospital. Sadly, we see it all the time.

But, I’m not saying any of this to discourage us from getting out and having a good time. I just hope everyone is safe. Just last summer, and only after 11 years of begging, I finally convinced the wife to actually get in the water at the beach.

Being from Missouri, she isn’t quite as comfortable with the whole idea of swimming in the Gulf as most of us are. But, she did it. And, she had a good time, which finally convinced her to let me take our 3-year-old son out, too. Of course, while I was holding him in the water, a jellyfish latched on to me and left a pretty rough looking mark. Thankfully, Colin was fine, but I thought, “Well, that’s the last time she’ll be letting me do that.”

So, no matter what springtime recreation you and the family have planned this year, just remember to be safe and aware of what’s going on around you. Nine times out of 10, that jellyfish won’t sting you and that other car will stop at the light, but it only takes one time for a day of fun to turn into a day you’d rather forget.

Be safe out there.