Safety comes first with fireworks
Michigan’s 2019 summer season for igniting legal consumer fireworks is in full swing and runs through Friday, July 5, from 1 a.m. to 11:45 p.m. each day.
Being safe and courteous while celebrating the Independence Day holiday by respecting your neighbors and following the law should always be a top priority. Use only during designated times and on your private property.
Follow these safety tips when using fireworks:
– Never allow young children to play with or ignite fireworks.
– Avoid buying fireworks that are packaged in brown paper because this is often a sign that the fireworks were made for professional displays and that they could pose a danger to consumers.
– Always have an adult supervise fireworks activities. Parents don’t realize that young children suffer injuries from sparklers. Sparklers burn at temperatures of about 2,000 degrees — hot enough to melt some metals.
– Never place any part of your body directly over a fireworks device when lighting the fuse. Back up to a safe distance immediately after lighting fireworks.
– Never try to re-light or pick up fireworks that have not ignited fully.
– Never point or throw fireworks at another person.
– Keep a bucket of water or a garden hose handy in case of fire or other mishap.
– Light fireworks one at a time, then move back quickly.
– Never carry fireworks in a pocket or shoot them off in metal or glass containers.
– After fireworks complete their burning, douse the spent device with plenty of water from a bucket or hose before discarding it to prevent a trash fire.
– Make sure fireworks are legal in your area before buying or using them.