We agree with Baker City officials’ decision to discuss ways to make parades safer in the future.

Such a discussion was all but inevitable, of course, following the tragic death of 7-year-old Dylan Thomas during Saturday’s Miners Jubilee parade.

Even without a formal meeting, though, we’re convinced that organizers of future parades, starting with the Shriners parade on Aug. 5, would strive to ensure that the type of accident in which Dylan died, already an exceedingly unlikely thing, would be even more so.

But we don’t believe it’s sufficient to rely solely on the heightened sense of concern that follows such a disastrous result.

We think the city, which requires parade organizers to obtain a permit, should also compile a list of safety protocols based on the best research available, give that list to all organizers and require that they comply with the measures.

Statistically speaking, we could probably have parades for the next century without a serious accident even if we take no action.

But there is no consolation in statistics for a community that is grieving.

Moreover, there is no legitimate reason for the city, and parade organizers, to not take easy and reasonable steps to make these events even safer.

From the Baker City Herald editorial board. The board consists of publisher Kari Borgen, editor Jayson Jacoby and reporter Chris Collins.