Fire Officials Urge People To Play It Safe This July 4th
DAVIE (CBS4) - With the Fourth of July holiday just a few days away, fire officials are blowing things up to show just how dangerous fireworks can be.
Broward Sheriff Fire Rescue, the BSO Bomb Squad and the Florida Division of State Fire Marshal used mannequins and watermelons for the demonstration on Monday.
"If you want to see fireworks, it's best left to the professionals," Fire Chief Tony Stravino said. Consider attending one of the many public fireworks displays throughout the area. "The last thing we want to see is a child burned by a sparkler, someone lose fingers, or worse, from fireworks."
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In Florida, most fireworks are illegal; anything that goes airborne or explodes is not allowed.
But people can still buy these types of fireworks as long as they sign a waiver swearing not to use them for recreational reasons.
"It is a loophole in the law," said sheriff's spokesman Mike Jachles. "You can purchase fireworks for intended purposes. Those are agriculture, sanctioned sporting events and railroad crossings."
In Florida, legal fireworks like "sparklers" are readily available at stores and road side stands. "Sparklers" are typically hand sparklers, fountains, snakes, and other similar products. While they may seem harmless, here's something to consider. Hand sparklers, which are usually given to kids to wave around, can reach temperatures of 1,200 degrees Fahrenheit at the tip – hot enough to cause third degree burns or permanent disfigurement.
"They do cause injuries mostly to children," said Lt. Craig Gilkey with the state Fire Marshall. "Every year we find somebody that's going to get hurt. It's not if they're going to get hurt, it's when they're going to get hurt."
On Sunday a Pompano Beach man messing with fireworks blew off part of his hand.
"He purchased a significant amount of fireworks, he was modifying the fireworks wasn't even igniting them he was in his apartment when one of them detonated and blew off his hand," said Jachles.
Officials recommend leaving the fireworks up to the professionals.
In 2011, there were 9,600 fireworks-related injuries in the United States, according to the National Fire Protection Administration. About a quarter of those injuries were children under the age of 15. On a typical Independence Day, more fires are reported in the U. S. than on any other day.
Both the State Fire Marshal and Broward Sheriff Fire Marshal's Bureau will be inspecting roadside fireworks stands this week. The State Fire Marshal's Office will also be assisting several police departments in checking out complaints and confiscating illegal fireworks.
Another important safety item to consider is celebratory gunfire. Firing a gun in the air is not only against the law, it's extremely dangerous. Remember, falling bullets kill.
In 2011, there were 9,600 fireworks-related injuries in the United States, according to the National Fire Protection Administration. About a quarter of those injuries were children under the age of 15.
On a typical Independence Day, more fires are reported in the U. S. than on any other day.
So what kinds of fireworks are illegal in the state? Put it this way, if it flies or explodes it's illegal. There is a loophole in the law, however, which allows people to buy these types of fireworks for agricultural purposes if they sign a waiver that they won't be used for recreational purposes.
On Monday, the sheriff's department staged their annual demonstration of just how powerful beefed up firecrackers - like M-80s and M-100s - can be by blowing up watermelons and parts off mannequins. Broward Sheriff's spokesman Mike Jachles also described how a Pompano Beach man lost part of his hand over the weekend in a fireworks accident.
"He purchased a significant amount of fireworks. He was modifying the fireworks, he wasn't even igniting them. He was in his apartment when one of the detonated and blew off his hand," said Jachles.
Miami-Dade Fire Rescue said to remember the following safety tips if you are planning your own fireworks display:
* Light fireworks in a safe area, such as a driveway or other paved surface.
* Keep fireworks at least 25 feet away from grassy and vegetated areas.
* Never attempt to relight or alter malfunctioning fireworks. After allowing them to stand for several minutes, discard in a pail of water. Keep a hose and bucket of water nearby.
* Light one firework at a time, and move away quickly. Fireworks should never be held or thrown. Remain a safe distance away from the devices.
* If clothes catch fire, remember to STOP, DROP onto the ground, cover your face, and ROLL over and over until the fire goes out.
* Always have a bucket of water and a fire extinguisher nearby.
