Happy 250th birthday, USA! Let’s celebrate it in a fun, safe way

We’re celebrating the United States’ 250th birthday on July 4. It will be a great celebration for a great nation.

Fireworks have been associated with our nation’s birthday from the beginning. Founding Father John Adams himself said the America’s birth should be commemorated with pomp and parade, shows, games, sports, buns, bells, bonfires and “illuminations from one end of this continent to the other from this time forward and forever more.”

As we celebrate our 250th birthday, I encourage you to leave fireworks to the professionals. Many cities, towns and communities across North Carolina have fireworks displays over the Independence Day holiday.

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Headed to the beach? Watch out for rip currents

The signs of summer are abundant. Temperatures are rising, along with the humidity. Schools are letting out. Daylight is stretching into the evening hours. Families are planning weekend trips and weeklong vacations.

A favorite destination for many summer excursions is the beach, where, in addition to enjoying the sun and sand, vacationers will want to cool off with a dip in the ocean. Rip currents pose the greatest risk to ocean swimmers.

Rip currents can be dangerous and can pull even the strongest swimmers out to sea. Rip currents are stronger than they look.

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?Ÿ?¬ Video Spotlight

Hurricane season is here | Are you prepared?

Hurricane season is here, Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey is sharing vital tips to help North Carolinians get prepared. From reviewing your insurance policies to preparing an emergency kit, now is the time to take action and protect your family and property before a storm strikes.

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What to do after a car accident

A car accident can happen in seconds, but knowing what to do next can make all the difference. Walk through these important steps to take after a crash.

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Hot cars can be deadly for both children and adults

Summer is here. We’ve already had some 100-degree days in parts of North Carolina. When it’s hot outside, it’s even hotter inside a car. It can be deadly hot for both children and adults.

From 198 through 2025, 1,041 children have died from heatstroke because they were left in a hot car. So far this year, six children have died in hot cars across the country, none from North Carolina. Last year, two North Carolina children died of heatstroke, a 7-month-old girl in Hamlet and a 4-year-old girl in Greensboro.

On average, 37 children die from vehicular heatstroke each year across the United States.

We all know that it’s usually hotter inside a car than it is outside. But do know how much hotter the temperature is inside a car?

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Safe driving habits can help teens with their insurance premiums

It’s no secret that having a teen driver in your household will jack up automobile insurance premiums.

Insurance companies consider teenagers a higher risk because inexperienced drivers are more likely to get into an accident than more experienced drivers. The risk of motor vehicle crashes is higher among 16-to-19-year-olds than any other group, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

A six-month policy for full automobile insurance coverage that would cost Mom and Dad $991 would cost the family $1,730 if a 16-year-old driver gets added to the policy. If the teenager gets into an automobile accident, the premium could climb to $2,094 or more.

Safety is the key. Having a safe driving record can result in hundreds of dollars in savings compared to other teens who get into at-fault accidents or have moving violations.