Avoiding Independence Day Accidents: Safety tips for shooting fireworks

WOODVILLE, Ala. (WHNT) — Many people celebrate Independence Day with colorful explosions, but if you do not use fireworks properly, it can quickly become a dangerous situation.

“We never suggest kids light fireworks,” said Janice Hodges, a longtime firework seller at J.R.’s Fireworks. “You have the little snap and pops they can use and do stuff like that.”

J.R. and his family have been selling fireworks for more than 50 years. A lot has changed during that time, but the safety advice they share with customers is timeless.

“We want you have a really good time, enjoy yourself, but be safe with it,” Hodges said.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) recommends you purchase fireworks from reputable stands.

“Just go to your established dealerships in town, said ATF Special Agent Darren Clemons. “Make sure you’re buying them from local places.”

Clemons, who is the ATF Advanced Explosive Disposal Technique Course Project Officer, said buying an using homemade fireworks can lead to serious injuries. If your fireworks do not have warning labels, it is possible your about to shoot something dangerous.

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“Higher explosive power that’s in the fireworks itself that leads to dangerous situations,” Clemons said. “Not knowing what you have. Not knowing what you’re dealing with.”

Thousands of people are injured in firework-related accidents each year.

“15- to 19-year-olds those are typically your largest demographic of people that do get injured,” Clemons said. “Outside of that, the second one is between five and nine.”

While it may be great to let kids help pick out fireworks, make sure the youngest members of your family are supervised when you light them.

You also want to pick a safe place to launch your fireworks.

“Make sure you have a large area that you’re going to be able to use the fireworks in,” Clemons said. “Know what you’re shooting off. That way you’re not hitting anybody else, any other houses. Just make sure you have an area that’s suitable for what you’re going to be using.”

Clemons said you want to keep water on hand to make sure your fireworks are fully extinguished when you are done with them. If you intend to store unused fireworks for next year, he recommends putting them in a dry, air-tight container out of reach of children.

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