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Fire officials urge caution during Fourth
Published July 1, 2009
WALTON COUNTY — While many residents will gather at one of the many public festivities being held throughout the county, others will be celebrating the Fourth of July at their own homes.
Local fire officials are urging caution for those celebrating at home, with words of caution centered around the dangers of fireworks.
“Fireworks-related injuries have come down over the past few years primarily because of educating the public of the dangers of fireworks,” said Walton County Fire Rescue Battalion Chief Anthony Everett. “Still, more fires take place on the Fourth of July than any other day.”
Everett said the most common culprits of fires and injuries while celebrating the nation’s independence are bottle rockets, firecrackers and sparklers. As sparklers can reach as much as 1,800 degrees — hot enough to melt gold — Everett said residents shouldn’t let anyone under the age of 12 play with them. The battalion chief also warned of the dangers of the dud effect — when a firework doesn’t fire. In this case, let the firework stand for 20 minutes, Everett advised, and douse it with water.
Georgia law allows for fireworks that include “wire or wood sparklers of 100 grams or less of mixture per item; other sparkling items which are non-explosive and non-aerial and contain 75 grams or less of chemical compound per tube or a total of 200 grams or less for multiple tubes; snake and glow worms; trick noise makers which include paper streamers, party poppers, string poppers, snappers and drop pops each consisting of 0.25 grains or less of explosive mixture.”
The sale and use of most types of fireworks — including firecrackers, skyrockets, and cherry bombs — is still illegal in Georgia and punishable by a maximum fine of up to $1,000 and up to one year in jail.
On Independence Day in a typical year, there are more fires reported than on any other day, and fireworks account for half of those fires. Residents who are launching their own fireworks are encouraged to have a hose handy or a bucket of water ready in case of an emergency.
“The fire department only learns about the ones that get out of hand,” Everett said.
Perhaps the biggest echoed sentiment among all of Walton County’s different fire officials is alcohol and fireworks don’t mix.
The best solution to avoiding any kind of catastrophe, according to Monroe Fire Department’s Capt. Bill Owens, is to view a professionally run event. Owens highly encourages residents to attend one of the local shows in Monroe, Loganville or Social Circle.
Despite the holiday, the county fire stations, as well as the city stations, will run as normal with a full staff. Their only adjustment, Everett said, is planning for a lighter load during the day in preparations to run from call to call at night.
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