Fire officials urge safety as July 4 celebrations approach
RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) -- With celebrations planned across the country for America's 250th anniversary next week, fire officials are reminding residents to put safety first, especially when it comes to fireworks.
Communities throughout the Triangle are preparing for Independence Day festivities, including a major fireworks display at Dix Park in Raleigh. While many may consider setting off fireworks at home, officials say leaving fireworks to trained professionals is the safest option.
"We want our citizens to be safe," Raleigh Fire Chief Lowell Smith said. "And the biggest way they can do that is leave the fireworks up to the professionals."
For those who choose to use legal fireworks, Smith recommends taking several precautions:
- Lighting only one firework at a time
- Never attempt to relight a firework that fails to ignite
- Keep a bucket of water or a garden hose nearby in case of emergency
Officials are also urging parents to closely supervise children around fireworks, including sparklers, which are often viewed as harmless.
"People think sparklers are really safe, and they're actually not. They burn over 1,200 degrees," Smith said.
Fire officials say fireworks-related injuries can include burns to the hands, face and eyes. North Carolina averages about 192 fireworks-related injuries each year, with more than 70% occurring during July.
In addition to injury concerns, officials warn about increased risk of fires due to ongoing dry conditions and drought concerns in parts of the state. A single spark from a firework can ignite dry grass or brush, creating dangerous conditions.
There is currently no statewide burn ban in North Carolina. State Fire Marshal Brian Taylor said the dry weather could contribute to an increase in fires as the holiday approaches.
"We could have a potential uptick in fires," Taylor said. "The dry conditions will increase our risk for fire as we enter the holiday season next week."
As communities celebrate this historic milestone, fire officials are also encouraging people to be considerate of their neighbors and pets, which can be sensitive to loud fireworks displays.
People are encouraged to attend public fireworks events and follow all safety guidelines to help ensure a safe and enjoyable holiday.
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