Summer is synonymous with barbecues, parades, and fireworks. The National Safety Council advises everyone to enjoy fireworks at public displays conducted by professionals and not to use any fireworks at home. They may be legal, but they are not safe.
Cibola County is currently in drought, and the risk of fire danger is real. While the county does not have any specific firework restrictions, the handling and care of pyrotechnics is important to ensure safety of the whole community.
Every year, thousands of people are injured badly enough to require medical treatment after fireworks-related incidents, with many of the injuries occurring to children and young adults. While most of these incidents are due to amateurs attempting to use professional-grade, homemade, or other illegal fireworks or explosives, less powerful devices like small firecrackers and sparklers can also cause significant injuries. Additionally, fireworks start an average of 19,000 fires each year.
Fireworks Safety Tips
Consumer fireworks are legal to purchase across Cibola County. The area is in drought and the risk of fire danger is real. Pyrotechnics are explosives, and if handled incorrectly, can be dangerous. According to TNT Fireworks, the following are tips to follow for a safe and fun celebration of freedom.
• Never allow young children to handle fireworks.
• Older children should use them only under close adult supervision.
• Never use fireworks while impaired by drugs or alcohol.
• Use Common Sense. Read all warning labels and follow directions on each firework device, understanding the product performance of each item.
• Anyone using fireworks or standing nearby should wear protective eyewear.
• To ensure the stability of the fireworks, always light it on a hard, flat, and level surface to prevent an item from tipping over. If lighting on grass, use a flat wooden board as a shooting surface.
• Keep Your Distance. Use fireworks outdoors in a clear, open area away from buildings and vehicles. Avoid dry grass and brush that could catch fire or flammable items. Spectators, especially children, should remain a safe distance away from the shooting area, generally 2540 feet for fountains and groundbased items and 75-100 yards for aerial products. If windy conditions exist, fireworks should be lit with the prevailing wind blowing away from the audience.
• Never put your head or any part of your body over a firework. Never look into a tube to inspect a firework. Never hold a lit firework in your hand.
• Never hold lighted fireworks in your hands.
• Only use them away from people, houses, and flammable material.
• 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.
• Never use illegal fireworks.
Better yet, grab a blanket and a patch of lawn, kick back, and let the experts handle the fireworks show.
Sparklers Are Dangerous
Every year, young children can be found along parade routes and at festivals with sparklers in hand. However, sparklers are a lot more dangerous than most people think. Sparklers burn at about 2,000 degrees – hot enough to melt some metals. Sparklers can quickly ignite clothing, and children have received severe burns from dropping sparklers on their feet. According to the National Fire Protection Association, sparklers alone account for more than 25 percent of emergency room visits for fireworks injuries. For children under five years of age, sparklers accounted for nearly half of the total estimated injuries.
Local Information
According to the Cibola County Fire Marshall, Dustin Middleton, there are no firework bans in place in the county. However, there is a current burn ban in Cibola due to the fire threat, and any fire started by fireworks may result in a citation.
According to data from the United States Department of Agriculture, Cibola County is considered to be in drought. According to the national drought monitor, May was the 38th driest drought Cibola has experienced in 130 years.