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An ounce of prevention will ensure an enjoyable 4th of July

 
Johnsburg fireworks


See the Johnsburg fireworks display July 6

4th of July fireworks are an annual thrill folks from Johnsburg shouldn’t miss. Many will head out to Pistakee Bay to see the firework display July 6. Many of the spectators will be Johnsburg residents. No doubt, many will not. But one thing is certain, traffic from the event will be significant.

If you live in Johnsburg close to Pistakee Bay, maybe you’ll watch the 4th of July fireworks (on July 6) from your own yard, or from a neighbor’s. You might even walk over to the beach to watch. But most of the people coming out to see the fireworks will drive.

All those vehicles in a relatively confined area will inevitably cause traffic to back up. Fireworks spectators will wind up sitting in traffic, their engines running, waiting for their chance to move. This is a time when you want your vehicle to operate at peak performance.

One of the biggest concerns is that your vehicle will overheat. You’ll see these people sitting on the side of the road with their hoods up, often with steam pouring up around the edges of the hood. Not only are they stuck, but they’re adding to the traffic jam.

Coming or going from the fireworks is not a good time to have a flat tire. Picture yourself in the blazing sun changing a tire while others are honking their horns and losing their patience because they haven’t seen what the additional back up is yet. 

Then again, you could have a flat tire on the way out. In this case, the effect on traffic is even greater (spectators tend to arrive over a longer period of time while most everyone leaves when the fireworks are over). You won’t have the sun beating down on you but you will have greater congestion. Hopefully, the consumption of alcohol won’t adversely affect anyone’s reaction to your problem.

Then there is the chance that your vehicle won’t start when the fireworks are over. At this point, hopefully, you’re not adding to the traffic jam. Hopefully, someone can jumpstart your car. If not, don’t count on your auto road service to get in to help you any time soon; they’ll be waiting for traffic to subside as well as everyone else.

The solution that will substantially reduce the risks that you’ll find yourself in one of these positions is fairly simple; have your vehicle checked out before you head out to watch the fireworks. Schedule a time a few days beforehand with a trusted auto repair technician. 

No doubt, the Johnsburg 4th of July fireworks (July 6) at Pistakee Bay will come off without a hitch. A little precaution will ensure that your attendance comes off without a hitch, too. 

Johnsburg safety check



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