#Fireworkshurt: Safety tips for the Fourth of July

The Fourth of July holiday can be a fun time of the year as young and old share in the joy of fireworks.

Terry Johnson, Junction City Fire Chief, said that people need to remember that fireworks are explosives and to treat them as such when celebrating this summer.

“They’re small, they’re not powerful compared to what you would consider being an explosive; but they still are explosives, and they’re very dangerous.”

Most injuries that occur during the Independence Day holiday are directly related to the use, or improper use of fireworks.

“We get fires from that [also], you know shooting fireworks too close to a building, or a grass area when it’s dry – it starts fires,” said Johnson. “A majority of our injuries are from doing something with fireworks that the manufacturer did not intend.”

The “thrill” of fireworks can also bring pain.

“Two hundred and thirty (230) people on average go the emergency room every day with fireworks-related injuries in the month around the July 4th holiday.”

The National Council on Firework Safety has several tips for celebrating the Fourth of July:

Obey all local laws regarding the use of fireworks.
A responsible adult SHOULD supervise all firework activities. Never give fireworks to children.
Alcohol and fireworks do not mix. Save your alcohol for after the show.
Use fireworks OUTDOORS in a clear area; away from buildings and vehicles.
Never relight a “dud” firework. Wait 20 minutes and then soak it in a bucket of water.
Never carry fireworks in your POCKET or shoot them into METAL or GLASS containers.
Do not experiment with homemade fireworks
Don’t bring your pets to a fireworks display, even a small one.
If fireworks are being used near your home, put your pet in a safe, interior room to avoid exposure to the sound.
Make sure your pet has an identification tag, in case it runs off during a fireworks display.
Never shoot fireworks of any kind (consumer fireworks, sparklers, fountains, etc.) near pets.

For more firework safety tips call 238-6822. If you are operating a fire works stand this Independence Day holiday, visit https://www.junctioncity-ks.gov/pview.aspx?id=1746 for information, City regulations.