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JBSA News
NEWS | June 25, 2015

Stay safe during Fourth of July excitement

JBSA-Lackland Public Affairs

It’s a fact Americans love fireworks, especially on the Fourth of July in celebration of the nation’s Independence Day. So much so, that consumer fireworks revenue totaled $695 million in 2014, up 95 percent from 2013, according to the American Pyrotechnics Association.

 

“Using consumer fireworks on our nation’s birthday is as traditional as cookouts and parades. It is equally safe if a few common sense rules are followed,” said Nancy Blogin, president of the National Council on Fireworks Safety. “We want consumers to be safe from beginning to end when enjoying their fireworks. We want there to be a safe place to shoot, to have a designated shooter that takes responsibility for the show and to have the fireworks disposed of properly.”

 

Active duty Airmen and on-duty Air Force civilian personnel may not take part in the transportation, storage, set up or functioning of commercial fireworks on base, according to Air Force Manual 91-201, paragraph 7.22.1, said Michael Horstman, Joint Base San Antonio weapons safety manager

 

“Military personnel are permitted to watch fireworks, but not allowed to be involved in any other aspect of the transportation, storage or use of the fireworks,” Horstman said. “Involvement includes purchasing fireworks and holding on to them for someone to shoot them off or transporting them in your own vehicle to a location for someone else’s use.”

 

Parents and caretakers should supervise children and teens during firework-related activities, since an average of 240 people visit the emergency room with firework-related injuries during the Fourth of July weekend, according to the United States Consumer Products Safety Commission. Sparklers can burn at temperatures of about 2,000 degrees, which is as hot as a blowtorch and hot enough to cause third-degree burns.

 

There are eight designated areas in Bexar County where patrons can shoot fireworks (http://gov.bexar.org/fm/News/Fireworks2010.pdf) People caught setting off fireworks in undesignated areas are subject to a $1,000 fine and up to 180 days in jail.

 

“Avoid using homemade fireworks and illegal explosives because they can be deadly,” Horstman said. “One fuse can last three seconds and another fuse can last half a second.”

 

Horstman also recommends that illegal explosives, like M-80s and “quarter sticks” be reported immediately to local police and fire departments.

 

Never relight a “dud” firework … wait 20 minutes then soak it in a bucket of water. In fact, Horstman recommends that all used fireworks be soaked in water before placing them in an outdoor garbage can.

 

“The residue from the firework is going to remain hot for a while,” Horstman said. “If you pick up the firework and immediately throw it in the trash, everything in the garbage can could catch fire.”

 

Know your fireworks and read fireworks instructions before shooting them off. According to the U.S. CPSC website, 36 percent of firework-related injuries occur on hands and fingers 22 percent on heads, faces and ears, with 16 percent in the eyes and five percent on the arms.

 

“Consumers should be aware of where their fireworks come from; only buy from licensed stores, stands and tents.” Blogin said. “A designated shooter should prepare a shooting area, carefully read the label of each firework and understand exactly what the firework will do and refrain from consuming alcohol. Planning makes for a safe and fun backyard fireworks display.”

 

Fireworks display observers should stand or sit 50 feet from the ignition and the person igniting the fireworks should turn their back immediately and walk away briskly following it. The National Fire Protection Association recommends the safest way to enjoy fireworks is to attend a public display conducted by trained professionals.

 

“Fireworks are dangerous and unpredictable, especially in the hands of amateurs,” said Judy Comoletti, NFPA’s Division Manager of Public Education. “The few seconds of pleasure those fireworks may bring are not worth the risk of injury, permanent scarring or even death.”