Use common sense on New Year’s Eve

Picayune Fire Chief Keith Brown reminds adults not to let children handle fireworks.  Photo by Alexandra Hedrick

Picayune Fire Chief Keith Brown reminds adults not to let children handle fireworks.
Photo by Alexandra Hedrick

It’s long been a tradition to ring in the New Year with fireworks, but local fire chiefs warn consumers before lighting up on New Years Eve.

Picayune Fire Chief Keith Brown and Poplarville Fire Chief Bobby Strahan warn residents to be careful and use common sense while shooting off fireworks.

“They’re pretty but they can be very dangerous,” Strahan said.

Brown said only adults should handle fireworks and put on the shows for children, instead of children handling the fireworks.

He said the tip of sparkler, which is what many children normally are allowed to play with, burns at 1,200 degrees, which can cause a third degree burn.

Strahan said don’t hold fireworks when lighting the fuses. They should be laid on the ground, he said. If a person becomes distracted or something is wrong with a firework, it can cause injuries.

Residents also should keep a fire extinguisher or bucket of water nearby in case of a fire, Brown said. He also recommends wearing ear and eye protection.

Both Strahan and Brown said to light fireworks in a clear area, away from grass, structures and flammables.

Brown said fireworks could be legally used from Dec. 5 – Jan. 2 in Picayune city limits.

Chief Deputy Shane Tucker with the Pearl River County Sheriff’s Department said residents in the county can legally light fireworks as long as there is no burn ban. Tucker said residents should be respectful of your neighbors when celebrating the New Year.

In the city limits of Poplarville, residents aren’t allowed to use fireworks, Strahan said.

“We’ve had a couple of good years. We’ve been very blessed to not have many calls over the last few years,” Brown said.

According to the National Fire Protection Association, fireworks caused an estimated 17,800 fires in 2011. The fires resulted in $32 million in direct property damage.

SportsPlus

News

Intersection of Quince Street and West Canal Street to Close for Resurfacing

News

Pearl River County to Hold Household Hazardous Waste Disposal Event

News

Two Arrested for Felony Child Abuse, Drug Possession in Pearl River County

News

Pearl River County Sheriff’s Office Releases December Arrest Report

News

Two Arrested on Drug Charges Following Shoplifting Investigation

News

Agencies Attend Bomb Prevention Training in Gulfport

News

Pearl River County 2025 Sneaux Days

News

Picayune Hosts Annual MLK Day Parade and Service

News

Curfews Announced in Picayune, Poplarville as Winter Storm Worsens; MHP Reports Hazardous Road Conditions

Breaking News

Picayune Declares Local Emergency Due to Winter Weather Conditions

News

Manna Ministries Celebrates 25 Years of Service to the Community

News

Poplarville Man Arrested on Felony Drug Charge

News

Pearl River County Narcotics Operation Leads to Multiple Arrests

News

Deputies Join PRC Students for Law Enforcement Training

News

Major Drug Bust in Picayune Uncovers Drugs, Firearms, and Alligators

News

Crosby Arboretum will host Forge Day Jan. 18

News

FBI Honors Percy Foxworth with Ceremony in Poplarville

News

Matt Buckley Joins Picayune Item as Regional Account Executive

News

Ezell Named Vice Chair of Key Congressional Committees

News

Man Arrested Following High-Speed Pursuit in Pearl River County

News

Search Warrant Leads to Arrests in Pearl River County

News

Bogalusa Mayor Tyrin Truong Arrested on Drug and Solicitation charges

News

PRCHS Blue Maskers Advance to State Drama Competition

News

Pearl River County Welcomes New Firetruck for Southeast Fire Department