JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO- LACKLAND, Texas –
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.”