Staying safe this Fourth of July

SPARTANBURG, S.C. (WSPA) – Each year, Fourth of July celebrations take place across the Upstate, and each year, first responders stay busier than usual.

“3,000 children every year are brought to our ERs because of firework injuries,” said Penny Shaw, program coordinator for Safe Kids of the Piedmont.

Spartanburg first responders tell us despite fireworks being illegal in the city, they deal with a high volume of calls for fireworks injuries each year. So many, that Spartanburg Regional tells us fireworks are the leading cause of injury for those coming into their emergency rooms during July.

It’s why they encourage the community to come out to the city’s signature event, Red, White and Boom, held each year at Barnet Park, and to leave the firework shows to the professionals.

“We respond to several calls for fireworks,” said William Smart, fire marshall for the city of Spartanburg. “They are illegal in the city limits of Spartanburg, although people take it upon themselves to purchase them and obviously discharge fireworks in the city. The police department will be overwhelmed with calls, the fire department will run a lot of calls.

Aside from fireworks, South Carolina is in the middle of the 100 deadliest days of Summer.

Officers said the amount of cars on the road, the hot temperatures, and the amount of swimmers in local lakes, leaves a lot of room for things to go wrong this holiday.

“When you’re grilling out, make sure you have a 3-foot space around your grill area and say no children allowed within 3 feet of this area,” said Shaw. “Someone also needs to keep an eye on every child and adult that goes in the water and if you’re in open water please wear a lifejacket. It is a law in the state of South Carolina that every boat has life jackets that fit every person that’s on the boat including the children.”

Small precautions, like substituting sparklers for glow sticks, or utilizing the life jacket loaner stations at nearby lakes, can go a long way.

“It’s a great time of year to celebrate the USA and we want to do it in a safe manner,” said Smart.

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