Today marks the start of a long, long holiday weekend celebrating the 4th of July. It also means for many partaking of a traditional way of noting the holiday - fireworks.
A relatively new venture for Minnesotans, the use of personal fireworks has "exploded," as evidenced by the number of tents throughout our communities that offer personal fireworks for sale. But they still remain potentially dangerous if not handled properly, or if by children without adult supervision.
Minnesota emergency rooms reported 570 fireworks injury victims since 1997 - a quarter of those victims less than 10 years old - and those numbers don't include minor injuries. Most of the injuries, officials say, are the result of simple inattentiveness or carelessness.
"The tip of a sparkler can burn hotter than an average road flare," says State Fire Marshal Jerry Rosendahl. "That's not something we should hand to our children and walk away, but people do it, sometimes with painful results."
And Rosendahl, in a state Public Safety Department news release, notes that 786 fireworks-related incidents since 1997 cost property owners about $5,500 each. Minnesota also suffered a $1.7 million Department of Natural Resources wild-land fire started by fireworks in 2002. DNR Forestry Firewise Specialist Leo Larkin says that celebrations "up at the cabin" must be environmentally responsible. "Check fire threat conditions before you go. And dispose of your fireworks properly; our lakes and forests can be poisoned by the chemicals in those things."
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Thursday, the DNR listed northern Minnesota with a moderate fire danger rating, meaning fires start easily and spread at a moderate rate. It also reported two wildfires in the state, one a small fire started in the Brainerd area by kids playing with fireworks.
Fireworks can be fun, but must be used safely. The Public Safety Department urges:
n Have an adult read directions before using fireworks. They don't all work the same.
n Adults must supervise children when they use fireworks.
n Choose a safe place - grass, leaves and litter are combustible.
n If fireworks don't light properly, stop trying. Put the piece in a bucket of water.
n Never relight fireworks. A defective piece, combined with a shortened fuse, could cause a disaster.
n Never ignite a fireworks device in a can or other container. (Many people with missing fingers can explain this one.)
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n Do not alter fireworks. It is an illegal act that results in an illegal product, and that product can be like a bomb - and just as deadly.
n Keep a pail of water nearby to cool hot wires and dispose of used materials.
And Rosendahl reminds that state law forbids the possession, transport or use of any explosive or aerial fireworks. In short, if it flies or explodes, it's illegal, and penalties can be very expensive.
Personal fireworks can be fun, but must be used wisely and safely. The best way to do that may be to attend a professional fireworks display, and leave it to the experts.
THE BEMIDJI PIONEER
