Hall County Fire Marshall Bryan Cash says residents need to keep a few safety tips in mind when celebrating Independence Day with fireworks.
- - Use fireworks outdoors only.
- Obey local laws. Remember, you must be 18 years old to buy.
- Always have water handy (a hose or bucket) or a fire extinguisher.
- Shoot fireworks on sturdy level ground (asphalt or concrete is best)
- Only use fireworks as intended. Don't try to alter them or combine them.
- Never relight a "dud" firework. Wait 20 minutes and then soak it in a bucket of water overnight.
- Spectators should keep a safe distance from the shooter, and the shooter should wear safety glasses.
- Have a "designated shooter." Alcohol and fireworks do not mix.
- Only persons over the age of 12 should be allowed to handle sparklers of any type. Sparklers can burn in excess of 1200 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Do not ever use homemade fireworks of illegal explosives: Report illegal explosives to the Fire Marshal or Sheriff's Office.
- NEVER discard fireworks in the trash - soak them in a bucket of water overnight!
- Never use firearms for celebratory gunfire/firing into the air.
Cash also states that when attending a fireworks show, it is important to not block any roadway, public right of way or fire hydrant with your vehicle.
"We hope that any event you attend will have people in place for crowd control and certainly for parking, we met with many event planners about the the importance of making sure there is room for emergency service to get by. But we will have fire trucks and ambulances at some of these events on standby," Cash said.
"We know there are a lot people there at these events and having access to those people is important."
Cash says the most important thing to keep in mind while celebrating the holiday is to simply use common sense.
You can find a list of local Independence Day celebrations at AccessWDUN.
