As the Fourth of July holiday weekend approaches, fire safety is top priority, with officials putting out some warnings and tips when it comes to handling fireworks.
Every year, numerous individuals—including children—go to the emergency room or call for an ambulance due to unsafe practices while handling fireworks. Also, make sure that if you’re lighting fireworks, you’re well away from any structures or fence lines that could ignite into fire from the sparks.
Other tips include making sure you read the labels and the specification of the fireworks before lighting them, a responsible adult should supervise any handling of fireworks, have a fire extinguisher or a water hose handy to put out any fires that did develop, do not carry any fireworks in your pocket, and be extra careful with sparklers.
Sparklers can reach up to over 1,200 degrees, so don’t let young children handle them without close supervision.
In Hopkinsville, the fire works ordinance clarifies that fireworks can only be used between July 1 and 5 and New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day in Hopkinsville and you must either be 18 or older or supervised by an adult.
They must also be shot between the hours of 10 a.m. and 12:30 a.m. and should not be ignited within 200 feet of any structure or person. It’s also against the ordinance to discharge fireworks from a moving vehicle.