Local officials urge safe use of fireworks

Fireworks can be an exciting Fourth of July spectacle, but when handled improperly, these pyrotechnic devices can cause fires, severe injuries and deaths. Local public safety departments recommend handling them with care over the holiday weekend and following all applicable laws.

“Each July 4th, 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,” Lt. Matthew Sterbenz of the Ironwood Public Safety Department told the Daily Globe.

On behalf of the public safety department, Sterbenz provided the following list of safety tips:

—Never use fireworks while impaired by drugs and alcohol.

—Anyone using fireworks or standing nearby should use protective eyewear.

—Never hold lighted fireworks in your hands.

—Never light fireworks indoors.

—Only use fireworks away from people, houses and flammable material.

—Never point or throw fireworks at another person.

—Only light one device at a time and maintain a safe distance after lighting.

—Never ignite devices in a container.

—Do not try to re-light or handle malfunctioning fireworks.

—Soak both spent and unused fireworks in water for a few hours before discarding.

—Keep a bucket of water nearby to fully extinguish fireworks that don’t go off or in case of fire.

—Never allow young children to handle fireworks.

—Older children allowed to use fireworks should be supervised by adults.

In a U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission report cited by Sterbenz, there are an average of nine deaths from fireworks each year and 15,600 people were injured by fireworks last year. He said that half of the fireworks injuries seen at emergency rooms were inflicted on extremities such as hands or legs and one-third were to the eye or other parts of the head.

Sparklers account for more than a quarter of emergency room visits for fireworks injuries, Sterbenz said. He also said that children between 10 and 14 years old have the highest rate of injury and more than one-third of the victims are under 15.

According to Sterbenz, the basics of the Michigan fireworks laws are that consumer fireworks can be used from June 29 to July 4 until 11:45 p.m. on each day, individuals are not allowed to ignite them on public property and cannot be intoxicated while igniting them on private property. He said that the basic violation to Michigan law is a civil infraction and a $1,000 fine.

Gogebic County Sheriff Ross Solberg clarified that there are similar exceptions for fireworks use on Memorial Day and New Year’s. Solberg said that the number one priority for fireworks safety should be proper parental supervision to prevent injury to children.

Solberg also said that fireworks users should be mindful of their surroundings, making sure they that they are not nearby any vehicles, houses or anything else that can catch on fire. He also recommended checking the local fire danger forecast on the state Department of Natural Resources website. Lastly, he asked that people respect the time restriction, their neighbors and neighbors’ pets, who often scare easily.