Grand Rapids Fire Dept. Urges Caution When Lighting Fireworks

From the City of Grand Rapids: The Grand Rapids Fire Department (GRFD) is offering tips for how residents can stay safe when lighting consumer fireworks this Fourth of July. That’s because hundreds of people – many of them children – are injured by fireworks each year across the U.S.

“Our goal every year is to promote fireworks safety,” GRFD Lt. Bill Smith said. “We want to make sure no family in our community experiences the pain and sorrow of a fireworks injury.”

Smith said fireworks accidents can result in individuals being burned, blinded, maimed, disfigured or even killed. He offers these fireworks safety tips:

• Don’t allow children to play with or ignite any fireworks. Sparklers – considered "safe" for children – burn at very high temperatures and can ignite clothing easily. Many children do not understand the danger involved and do not know how to respond in case of emergency.
• Keep a bucket of water handy in case fireworks malfunction or catch fire.
• Read and follow all warnings and instructions.
• Make sure other people are out of range before lighting fireworks. Never set off a firework at or near another person.
• Only light fireworks on a smooth, flat surface away from the house, dry leaves and flammable materials. Don’t light a firework while holding it in your hand.
• Don’t try to relight fireworks that have not fully functioned. Douse and soak them with water and throw them away.
• Don’t ignite fireworks in a container, especially a glass or metal container.
• Keep unused fireworks away from firing areas.
• Don’t have any portion of your body directly over fireworks while lighting.
• Don't experiment with homemade fireworks.
• Don’t drink alcohol while setting off fireworks.
• Observe local laws.

New rules in place in the city of Grand Rapids stipulate that fireworks may be set off only between 11 a.m. to 11:45 p.m. Saturday, June 29 to Friday, July 5. A civil fine of $1,000 for each violation is now in effect. State law prohibits igniting fireworks on public streets, sidewalks and rights-of-way and at parks, churches and schools.