Published: July 03, 2008 09:15 pm            

Officials warn about fireworks safety

We're all a bit fascinated with fireworks and all their flash and bang.

But the Fourth of July has also traditionally been a holiday where many fires and injuries occur from the use of consumer fireworks. Each July 4, thousands of people, most often children and teens, are injured while using consumer fireworks. Despite the dangers of fireworks, few people understand the associated risks -- devastating burns, other injuries, fires and even death.

"Our position is to leave fireworks to the professionals," said Meridian Fire Chief Jeff Homan. "Enjoy the pyrotechnics at Bonita Lakes Recreational Park but don't run the risk of injury, especially to children, by putting on your own private shows."

The use of fireworks is banned inside the city limits of Meridian.

Firework dealers believe people have the right to purchase the product and enjoy them at their leisure.

Tents offering fireworks pop up on roadsides throughout East Mississippi this time of year.

Russ Rooster, who sells fireworks at a stand at the intersection of Highway 19 and Chandler Road, didn't seem bothered Thursday by the drive each year around the Fourth of July by local, state, and federal officials to discourage the sale of fireworks to residents.

In fact he chuckled at the notion.

"Listen, all the directions are on the box," Rooster said. "Heck, a lot of guns don't even come with directions on how to shoot them. It's assumed everyone knows," Rooster said.

Rooster, a resident of Branson, Mo., has been coming to the Meridian area to sell fireworks for more than 10 years. He said he likes the people. So why would he sell them something that would hurt them?

"We don't sell fireworks to anyone under 16 years old," Rooster said. "Fireworks should not be used unless under the supervision of an adult. I have no problem with selling fireworks because we urge everyone to be safe and have fun."

According to a recently released National Fire Protection Report, fireworks caused an estimated 1,800 total structure fires and 700 vehicle fires reported to fire departments in 2005. These fires resulted in $39 million in direct property damage. The NFPA report said U.S. hospital emergency rooms treated more than 9,000 people for fireworks related injuries in 2006.

Meridian hospitals, however, did not report any fireworks related injuries for 2007.

"According to our emergency room records, we didn't log any injuries related to fireworks use in a three-day span starting from July 3rd through the fifth," said Kim Wade, public information director for Riley Hospital.

John Dean, president of the National Association of State Fire Marshals said the Fourth of July is a particularly difficult day for fire service across the country. "More fires are reported on a typical Fourth of July than on any other day of the year and fireworks account for half of those fires, more than any other cause of fires," he said.

The American Academy of Pediatrics is part of the Alliance to Stop Consumer Fireworks, a group of health and safety organizations that urges the public to avoid the use of consumer fireworks and, instead, to enjoy displays of fireworks conducted by trained professionals.

Public sales, including those by mail or Internet order, of all fireworks should be prohibited said the AAP. Ideally, this should be done on a national level by federal law or CPSC regulation. International importation of fireworks for private use should also be banned. Sales to professional pyrotechnicians for the purpose of creating public displays would be exempt.

"There is simply no safe way to use consumer fireworks," said James M. Shannon, president of the National Fire Protection Association, (NFPA), a founding member of the Alliance to Stop Consumer Fireworks. "People should leave fireworks to the professionals and celebrate our nation’s birthday by enjoying professional displays put on by trained individuals."

But Rooster and others disagree.

"What it boils down to is the parents of the children need supervision to make sure fireworks are used safely," Rooster said. "If you let a child run around the yard with a stick and there's no parent to tell them to stop, then the child could hurt himself."

        

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