Is it finally spring? The calendar says yes, but the weather is being a bit stubborn. The sun’s hanging out a bit longer these days, bringing more daylight for our winter-soaked souls. Like a moth to a flame, Pacific Northwesterners are drawn to the outdoors to soak up every available bit of daylight. We can even overlook the gray skies (and rain); So long as there is light, we shall play.

And that includes children.

Adults view the open road as a means to travel to work and run errands. Children don’t exactly think that way. Children — and for this adults should be envious — see a stretch of blacktop and think basketball court, baseball diamond or a skating rink. Or they just see a wide open stretch of space to play or run around on, with no agenda whatsoever.

From 1 to 5 p.m, this Saturday, May 1, the Poulsbo Fire Department will be doing its part to keep our kids safe by fitting bicycle helmets for children at the Doctor’s Clinic on 7th Avenue in Poulsbo.

Bicycle helmets, however, only go so far.

It’s not safe to play on streets, for sure. But children have always, and will always, take advantage of any space to have fun. Accident prevention is a two-way street. Children should be taught to look for cars, while adults should always drive in residential neighborhoods as though they are expecting children to be playing in and around the roads.

In addition, dog owners should remember that in Kitsap County, their dogs must be leashed at all times, unless they are at one of the county’s designated dog parks. Children and unsupervised animals in the same place at the same time are a recipe for disaster.

Let’s all play it safe this spring and summer.