Today is the day we celebrate America's independence. We do so with the consumption of mass quantities of char-grilled food, many times with malted beverages and explosives. It's a great country.

If the above sounds like your day, or part of your weekend, there are a few things you should be aware of, to stay on the good side of the law:

• WHILE ON LAND: Remember that this is one of the deadliest weekends on Maine roads, mostly due to the high number of vehicles that flood into the state. Traffic will be slow today (Friday) into the state, and slow out of the state on Sunday. No road rage allowed. You've been warned. Plus, there will be many more police patrolling the roads, not just the turnpike, on the watch for drivers who have had too much to drink before getting behind the wheel of a car. Play it safe. Be smart. Have patience. This is, after all, supposed to be a holiday.

ALSO REMEMBER, most fireworks are illegal in the state of Maine. Here's a breakdown of the firecrackers you can and cannot play with while in the state:
   OK Fireworks: Sparklers without magnesium, chlorates or perchlorate, and plastic and paper caps.
   NOT OK Fireworks: Firecrackers, torpedoes, skyrockets, Roman candles, bombs, rockets, wheels, colored fire, fountains, mines and serpents. Possession of these type of fireworks could result in criminal charges.

Visit the Office of the Maine State Fire Marshal's fireworks webpage to get a concise breakdown of the law.

• WHILE ON SEA (or on a lake or river): Know that the Maine Warden Service will be increasing their patrols on Maine's inland waters and the Coast Guard will be on vigilant patrols of the coast on the lookout for drunk boaters.

The Coast Guard says the Fourth of July is often a deadly holiday, with 38 deaths on the waters off the New England coast over the past 10 Independence Day holidays.

Furthermore, the warden service also wants to make sure safety is a top priority.

The laws officials will be enforcing especially: illegal operation; speed; imprudent speed in a safety zone; safety; registrations and operating under the influence.
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That's it. Enough lecturing. Now, go grab a grill, a cold drink, some friends and have fun. Happy Fourth of July.

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