SHEPHERDSVILLE, Ky.  — As the Fourth of July approaches firefighters are warning of the potential increase in firework incidents.

What You Need To Know

  • In 2018, fireworks led to nearly 19,500 fires and more than 9,000 injuries

  • Zoneton Fire Protection District has seen an uptick in firework-related fires

  • Zoneton Fire is reminding people to take proper safety precautions this holiday season

  • Eyes, hands and faces were the most common body parts injured with sparklers.

 

According to a news release from Zoneton Fire Protection District, “Zoneton firefighters believe 2021 may be a bad year for firework incidents.” Zoneton Fire said in just one recent 24-hour period there were two firework related fires that broke out. 

Kevin Moulton, fire chief for the Zoneton believes this is due to the lack of rain and warmer weather.

“The dryness of the ground and the heat and everything that we were having, we're starting to see they're not thinking about the "after" part of the fireworks so making sure to extinguish the heating of it because it could still catch the grass on fire,” Moulton said.

According to Zoneton Fire, in 2018 fireworks led to nearly 19,500 fires and more than 9,000 injuries requiring emergency treatment in the United States.

The biggest safety concern focuses on the fireworks targeted for children.

“Remember that your sparklers can burn up to 1,200 degrees so even though they are fun for the kids, those are probably some of the hottest fireworks that I'm going to call them or novelty items that could cause most of the damage,” Moulton said.

Eyes, hands and faces were the most common body parts injured with sparklers.

Zoneton wants to reminde people to take the proper safety precautions this holiday season.

“Leave it to professionals. They're fun, I get it. But if you don't know what you're doing or if you don't have the distance that the manufacturers offer to stay a certain distance away from structures or crowds, don't do it. Stay safe, be smart, keep water around so you can extinguish it if it gets out of hand,” Moulton said.

Zoneton Fire Protection District has provided some other safety tips when using fireworks:

  • Wear safety glasses
  • Read any instructions on the fireworks
  • Choose a flat and level ground that is 200 feet away from buildings, vehicles and people, which is a state law. State law also prohibits persons less than 18 from igniting fireworks.
  • Never point fireworks at a person or buildings.
  • Be sure the fallout will not land in dry brush.
  • Have water hoses or buckets of water nearby. Douse remnants before putting them in the trash and leave trash bags away from buildings just in case.
  • Clear the area of flammable liquids, such as charcoal lighter fluid.
  • Remember that alcohol and fireworks do not mix — save the cold stuff for after the hot stuff. No smoking around fireworks either.

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