Be safe while fireworks are bursting in the air

HOUSTON COUNTY – It is that time of year again: fireworks shining in the night sky and hearing freedom ring. While celebrating Independence Day, Houston County Fire Chief Chris Stoner shares firework safety tips to memorize like the National Anthem. 

The biggest advice Stoner shares is reading the fireworks’ instructions and warnings, which he said are often overlooked. He said all fireworks are required to have specific safety instructions.

“The biggest thing is follow the instructions that are on each firework packet itself because there might be different requirements based on the different types of fireworks,” he said.

Another piece of advice that is often overlooked is the use of fireworks around young children. He said that although sparklers are believed to be harmless, they are dangerous to small children, especially if they are not supervised. According to Stoner, sparklers burn at temperatures of up to 200 degrees, and many emergency room visits during this time of year are due to injuries related to fireworks or sparklers. 

For children under five years of age, approximately half of the injuries seen are a result of sparklers, Stoner said. 

Stoner also advises people to stay a safe distance away from the fireworks and to have plenty of space. He urges people not to use fireworks in dry conditions. He also recommends not relighting or handling fireworks if they malfunction. Stoner advised lighting fireworks one at a time instead of lighting a batch at once. 

He said not to hold the fireworks after lighting them. He shared that the fire department sees it a lot with bottle rockets, which is when people hold the rocket and shoot it at each other. 

It is also essential to have a nearby water source, such as a garden hose or a bucket of water. After shooting the fireworks, Stoner recommends soaking the leftover shells in water before disposing of them in a trash can. Failure to do this can lead to another occurrence the fire department sees frequently: trash cans catching on fire, Stoner said. He also shared that if the trash can is located near the home, the house may also catch fire.

“A little common sense goes a long way with it. If [the firework is] hot, make sure it’s cooled down before you touch it or before you put it in the trash,” he said.

Stoner also reminds people to have direct oversight of children and provide them with assistance. 

Stoner recommends keeping their pets away from fireworks. If animals are outside while fireworks are going off, he said to make sure they won’t pick up the used fireworks because they may burn their mouths.

Anxiety from noise is the biggest issue for pet owners, Stoner said. He advises them to go talk to their veterinarian about recommendations for medications that can be given to calm down anxiety. A weighted blanket can also calm down pets. 

Stoner said the fire department has responded to incidents resulting from fireworks every year. According to national statistics, the National Fire Protection Association estimates that an average of 30,000 fires occur every year due to fireworks. Stoner said there have been thousands of injuries seen in hospitals nationwide. 

Stoner said he wants everybody to enjoy the summer and the holidays, and for people to make memories with their families. He said, for the most part, if people follow the safety tips, they will be okay. 

“We don’t want those memories to become nightmares. Follow those instructions, stay safe, have a memorable event, but do it safely,” he said. 

For more firework safety tips, click here.