Noah Johnson Daily Press Spread Eagle Fireworks is ready to sell fireworks at its tent in the Elmer’s County Market parking lot.

With Fourth of July happening tomorrow, folks are ready to light fireworks and celebrate our independence. However, before you celebrate, make sure you are celebrating safely and in accordance with the law.

The Michigan State Police (MSP) said that data from the Consumer Product Safety Commission states that more than 5,000 people nationwide go to the emergency room every day with firework-related injuries in the month around July.

OSF in Escanaba published multiple articles on how to stay safe for the holiday.

Doctor David Sola Del-Valle at OSF specifically highlighted the use of fireworks and the dangers it can cause to eyes. Sola says that if a firework goes off in your face, serious injuries including permanent blindness can occur.

“Fireworks accidents are no laughing matter. If something as small as a firecracker goes off in your face, detached retinas, cornea scratches, burns, open wounds in the eye, loss of vision and loss of eyes can result,” Sola said.

Those who are prone to seizures should consider sitting out of any firework show, but anyone else should be okay as long as they stay at least 500 feet away from the launch site.

He also recommends using safety glasses or goggles when igniting fire works, specifically those that read Z87 on the side.

“This is the sign that the American National Standards Institute, a private, nonprofit safety group, has deemed the glasses protective if there’s a blunt force impact,” Sola said.

The hands are also vulnerable when it comes to fireworks as Doctor Ben Kemp at OSF explained.

“Never light a firework in your hand, obviously that can explode unexpectedly, quickly and you can get blast injuries to the hand or burn injuries to the hand and be very harmful. And also burns to clothing,ì clothing lights on fire and you can get burns to other areas. Facial injuries too,ì so a firework goes off in somebody.s face and you get injuries to the eye, the face and can be rather harmful and something we have to deal with,” Kemp said.

“Due to these injuries, the Michigan State Police (MSP) is reminding citizens to take extra safety precautions if your July Fourth celebration includes fireworks,” the release stated.

MSP provided a list of dos and dont’s when using fireworks.

When using fireworks, always:

– Follow the manufacturer’s directions.

– Have an adult supervise fireworks activities, including sparklers.

– Light fireworks one at a time, then immediately back away to a safe distance.

– Keep people and pets out of range before lighting fireworks.

– Light fireworks outdoors on a driveway or other paved surface at least 25 feet away from houses and highly flammable materials such as dry grass or mulch.

– Keep a bucket of water or a garden hose handy in case of fire or other mishap.

– Douse spent fireworks in a bucket of water before discarding them.

When using fireworks, never:

– Experiment with or make your own fireworks.

– Allow young children to play with or ignite fireworks.

– Place any part of your body directly over a fireworks device when lighting the fuse.

– Try to re-light duds or pick up fireworks that have not ignited fully. Rather, wait 15 to 20 minutes and then soak it in a bucket of water.

– Point or throw fireworks at other people.

– Carry fireworks in a pocket or shoot them off in metal or glass containers.

In addition to state law, people should refer to their local municipality.

In Gladstone and Escanaba, the use of fireworks is permissible until July 5 from 11 a.m. until 11:45 p.m., on each of those days.

Anyone under that age of 18 is prohibited from possessing or buying fireworks.

Ignition of fireworks is not allowed on public property, school property, church property or property of another person without that person or organization’s permission. By the same token, debris from fireworks may not land on public property or property of another without their permission to do so.

Residents are also prohibited from using fireworks while under the influence of alcohol, controlled substances or a combination of the two.

Finally, fireworks are only to be used if in accordance with all applicable local, state and federal laws.

Note, fireworks are strictly prohibited should a burn ban be in effect.

Both municipalities are holding residents accountable should they violate the local ordinances.

In Escanaba, fines will range between $50 and $100 according to Escanaba Public Safety Captain Darren Smith.

In Gladstone, a violation can mean a fine of $1,000 with $500 remitted to the local responding agency.

“Fourth of July activities are geared toward families, and safety is the utmost importance during this time. Citizens are asked to review the Fireworks Ordinance No. 1214. Public safety presence will be at Ludington Park,” Escanaba Public Safety Director John Gudwer said.