It’s hard to believe the last holiday of the summer is almost here, as Labor Day is coming up on Monday. Sure, the summer weather will probably stick with us for another month…or even two, and school has been back in session for weeks. But Labor Day always feels like the unofficial end of the summer season to me.

And that means fall is just around the corner, with its pumpkin-spiced everything, football games and eventual cooler weather. It’s my favorite season, by far. Halloween has always been my favorite holiday, it’s not too hot or too cold, and I think my love of football is pretty well-documented at this point.

But before we dive headlong into a proverbial pile of leaves, let’s remember to be safe this weekend as we enjoy one last vacation, party, or just relaxing long weekend. Most places will be closed Monday, school will be out and a ton of people will be traveling. And that means added danger on the roadways, whether you’re traveling out of town or not. If you’re flying this weekend, best of luck to you. I know Labor Day isn’t as hectic as Thanksgiving or Christmas, but for those of us that have a good amount of air miles under our belts, we know airports will be crowded and it will only get worse as you make your seemingly obligatory stop in Atlanta or Dallas.

For those of you hitting the road, this is your reminder to be extra cautious. Jammed interstates and highways can cause an accident quickly and a small fender bender on I-20 can turn into a multi-vehicle pileup quickly. I’ve covered enough accidents to know they happen in really odd ways, so keep your eyes peeled from your spot behind the wheel. 

Speaking of covering accidents, being careful over the Labor Day weekend isn’t just for travelers. For those of us who will be sticking around the house, there’s plenty of opportunity for a good time to go south fast. Whether it’s a barbecue, pool party or any other kind of get-together, please remember to use good judgment, especially if alcohol is involved. None of us at The Post want to get calls from law enforcement this weekend about an unfortunate incident at a home or public venue. That extends to accidents, fires or even violence. Unfortunately, it happens.

This is our last chance to get a day off from work or school to enjoy some summer fun, so whatever your plans are, be careful and aware of your surroundings. We hope you all enjoy your long weekend, and we hope the only thing we write about next week related to Labor Day is how much everyone enjoyed a well-deserved break.

Cheers!

Blake Bell is the general manager and executive editor of The Vicksburg Post. He can be reached at blake.bell@vicksburgpost.com.