Dry conditions call for extra fireworks safety

By Jeremy Pittari
Item Staff Writer

PICAYUNE July 03, 2009 09:47 am

— Lack of rain and hot weather have created a dangerous situation for tomorrow’s Fourth of July celebrations.
Fire Chief Keith Brown advises residents to be cautious if they plan to shoot off their own fireworks. He said the department is concerned about the dry weather and asks residents to take proper precautions.
Some well known safety tips include:
— Avoid shooting off fireworks near dry vegetation.
— Keep a water hose close at hand should a fire break out.
— Brown also advises residents to have an adult supervise children around fireworks.
Fire Marshall Pat Weaver suggested instead of shooting off fireworks, local residents could attend one of the two planned public fireworks shows that will be occurring tomorrow.
The McNeill Volunteer Fire Department will host its annual fireworks display off of U.S. 11. The celebration also will include entertainment, arts and crafts and food for sale and, of course, the fireworks display beginning at dark. That show is open to the public.
Hide-A-Way Lake’s management also will put on a show for property owners. HAWL Administrative Assistant Elizabeth Rancatore said the event will feature a barbecue lunch from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., a boat parade beginning at 6 p.m. and the fireworks are planned for 9 p.m. That event is for HAWL property owners and their company.
If local residents do decide to shoot off their own fireworks, they can take simple precautions such as purchasing fireworks from an authorized retailer. Firearms and flares are unsafe to use as fireworks.
According to http://www.fireworksafety.com/safety.htm, fireworks should be shot off one at a time and never kept in pockets. Never try to relight a dud firework. The site also lists a number of other safety tips, such as wearing eye protection and avoiding pointing fireworks at other people.

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