National TV-Turnoff Week has come before us, and many are wondering if they should touch that dial.

Organizers of the event hope people’s TV screens stay blank April 22-28 and that people become motivated to participate in active forms of recreation.

To most, this request may seem like something crazier than story plots on “Star Trek: The Next Generation,” but living without a TV is possible.

Some TV addicts may complain that in this information age TV is a crucial news source for people.

While that may seem like a valid complaint, addicts must be blind if they do not realize that the same news can be obtained from newspapers and the Internet.

There is no denying that TV is a wonderful thing because where else would you be able to see more than 100 pounds of fat in a red wagon than on the Oprah Winfrey Show?

But too much of a good thing always turns bad.

If you drink alcohol too much you become a sick alcoholic.

If you smoke too much you have a higher risk of getting lung cancer.

And if you watch TV too much while sitting on the couch, you have a higher risk of heart disease from lack of proper exercise.

The message that needs to be conveyed in National TV-Turnoff Week is moderation.

TV viewing is fine when it is done in moderation. But when it gets to the point that you’re scheduling your classes around your favorite soap operas and spending every free moment watching TV, then you’ve become addicted.

Learning moderation can help future generations of TV viewers.

Children will learn by participating in this week that there are more entertaining things than watching an anvil fall on Wile E. Coyote.

The week may also make parents second-guess sitting their children down in front of the television while they fix dinner.

TV-Turnoff Week will be putting some TVs out of work in homes where they have become the in-house babysitter for parents who are just too busy.

And hopefully, adults will rediscover books, bicycle riding or gardening.

Will most people be keeping their TVs off for the whole week?

Doubt it.

However, there should be no excuses. It’s not wintertime anymore, so get out and experience life without having a remote control glued to your hand.