DEARBORN HEIGHTS, Michigan (CBS) (DETROIT) — The Fourth of July is just around the corner and residents are celebrating by setting off fireworks.
There’s nothing quite like hosting your own private fireworks display for the 4th of July. Yet fireworks still cause thousands of injuries each year. It’s important to educate yourself on how to set off fireworks safely so your blast doesn’t end in disaster.
From a distance they are a spectacular sight, but up close they pose a potential danger.
“Fireworks are set off by adults who are not under the influence of alcohol or mind-altering substances. You never want to set off fireworks where falling debris, ash, cinders or anything like that could land on neighbors’ yards or even their own homes or roofs of homes or anything like that,” said Dearborn Heights Fire Chief Phil Hall.
The Dearborn Heights Fire Department says they’re getting more calls than usual this time of year, and many of them involve fireworks.
“So we’re responding to more of those injuries. There are traumatic injuries that occur from people handling fireworks that didn’t go off or someone getting hit by fireworks,” Hall said.
It is important to keep a bucket of water on hand to extinguish any burning objects. This will prevent your trash or yourself from catching fire.
These are some of the safety warnings that fireworks sellers make clear to their customers, even before they pay for fireworks.
“We definitely don’t want any accidents or anything like that. When you set off fireworks, they’re very hot. They smoke a little bit. They cause a flame in the trash or the bin and cause a big fire, so make sure you put it out with water and make sure you don’t just throw it in a trash can,” said Patrick Mifsud, oo partner of Exotic Fireworks.
Hall recommends skipping your own fireworks display and instead enjoying fireworks shows put on by professionals. If you are planning on setting off your own fireworks display this holiday weekend, it cannot be stressed enough to never let children touch fireworks.
A refresher course on fireworks safety is one thing, but it’s also important to understand fireworks laws. There are different laws that govern when and where you can set off fireworks in the Detroit area, and they can vary by city and county. So it’s always important to check with your local government to make sure you’re following these laws correctly, or you could end up with a fine instead of a 4th of July celebration.
