The Grand Rapids Fire Department is hoping residents will be careful when using fireworks this 4th of July. Officials have tips to help you stay safe.
“We don’t want to have anyone injured or burned or suffer from an injury that they can’t recover from.”
Lt. William Smith is the Fire Prevention Inspector for the Grand Rapids Fire Department. He says they’re urging residents to be careful this Fourth of July.
“Every time fireworks are discharged in an unsafe manner someone risks injury or worse. So, we just want to remind people to be extra careful when they’re using the fireworks.”
Lt. Smith says they have a number of fireworks safety tips to help keep residents safe. They include reading and following all warnings and instructions, keeping a bucket of water handy, not drinking alcohol while setting off fireworks as well staying away from homemade fireworks.
“Where someone has decided to modify a firework or build their own. Essentially what they’ve made is a bomb, without the shrapnel attached to it. But, people don’t understand that concussion type injury can damage organs, can cause burns and injure a great number of people in a small area.”
And Smith says, one of the biggest tips involves children.
“We don’t want children to play with fireworks, any type. Even sparklers that are considered safe for children, burn at a high temperature and that temperature can exceed a thousand degrees.”
Smith also says residents should remember the new rules regarding fireworks in Grand Rapids. From June 29th to July 5th fireworks can only be set off between 11am and 1145 p.m. It’s now a 1000 dollar civil fine for each violation.
