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Incident: Fourth of July Safety
The Fourth of July is right around the corner…and that means the smells of hamburgers and hot dogs on the grill, fun in the park, and the crackling sound of fireworks. Before you and your family celebrate this year, make sure everyone knows about firework safety.
KidsHealth.org, a website owned by Nemours, the national pediatric health system, offers the following tips.Do not let children play with fireworks. Firecrackers, rockets, and sparklers are very dangerous. If your teens want to use sparklers, make sure they keep them outside and away from their faces, clothing, and hair. ONLY PERSONS OVER AGE 12 SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO HANDLE SPARKLERS OF ANY TYPE.
Buy only legal fireworks and store them in a cool, dry place. Legal fireworks should not fly more than 12 feet in the air, move more than 12 feet laterally, or explode. If your fireworks don’t list the manufacturer’s name or have an instruction label, they’re probably illegal.
Illegal fireworks usually go by the names M-80, M100, blockbuster, or quarter-pounder. Illegal fireworks are also anything that explodes or shoots more than 12 feet into the air. USE FIREWORKS ONLY AS INTENDED. DON’T TRY TO ALTER THEM OR COMBINE THEM.Never try to make your own fireworks.
Buy ready-made fireworks rather than making your own, even from a kit. Steer clear of others. Fireworks have been known to backfire or shoot off in the wrong direction. Avoid carrying fireworks in your pocket, as the friction could set them off. Keep a bucket of water and a hose nearby. Soak all fireworks in a bucket of water before throwing them away, and keep a hose nearby in case dry leaves or other materials catch fire. Light one firework at a time and never re-light a dud. If a firework doesn’t appear to work, do not go over to it or attempt to re-light it. Stand back and wait, then douse it with water.Newport Fire and Police Departments invite you to celebrate our nation’s heritage on the Forth of July-- BUT CELEBRATE SAFELY!
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Information Released By:
Fire Chief Rick Crook,
541-265-9461
Police Chief Mark J. Miranda,
541-574-3348
