From the = Rutland Town Fire Department

From the Rutland Town Fire Department

By Michael=20 J. Barron

To=20 Report=20 A=20 Fire=20 773=20 -=20 2565=20

Non-Emergencies=20 775=20 -=20 0056

There are more than twice as many fires reported on July = 4^th=20than any other day of the year. Forty percent of those fires are = fireworks=20 related. In 2010, an estimated 15,500 reported fires were started by = fireworks.=20 Fireworks related injuries have mostly ranged from 8,300 - 9,800 per = year since=20 1996. According to the National Fire Protection Association, =93The = safest way to=20 enjoy fireworks is to attend a public display conducted by trained=20 professionals.=94 Vermont Statutes state, =93To possess or shoot = fireworks in=20 Vermont you need a permit.=94 Unfortunately the statistics, the advice, = and the=20 law are all universally ignored. Surely anyone returning from an April = vacation=20 in the Carolinas is well stocked in anticipation of the nation=92s = birthday.=20

That being said, let=92s be pragmatic and abide by the = following firework=20 safety tips.

=B7 The safest way to enjoy fireworks is to attend a public = display=20 conducted by trained professionals. (I had to try.)

=B7 Avoid buying fireworks that are packaged in brown paper = because this is=20 often a sign that the fireworks were made for professional displays and = that=20 they could pose a danger to consumers.

=B7 Appoint a responsible adult to be in charge and to supervise = all=20 fireworks activities. Carefully read and follow all instructions on the=20 package.

=B7 Never allow young children to play with or ignite fireworks. = Parents=20 don't realize that young children suffer injuries from sparklers. = Sparklers burn=20 at temperatures of about 2,000 degrees - hot enough to melt some = metals.

=B7 Never place any part of your body directly over a fireworks = device when=20 lighting the fuse. Back up to a safe distance immediately after lighting = fireworks.

=B7 Never try to re-light or pick up fireworks that have not ignited fully. Stay clear of = =93duds=94 for=20 at least thirty minutes then soak them and discard in a metal = container.

=B7 Never point or throw fireworks at another person.

=B7 Keep a bucket of water or a garden hose handy in case of fire = or other=20 mishap.

=B7 Light fireworks one at a time, then move back quickly.

=B7 Never carry fireworks in a pocket or shoot them off in metal = or glass=20 containers.

=B7 After fireworks burn out, douse spent devices with plenty of = water from=20 a bucket or hose before discarding to prevent a trash fire.

=B7 Make sure fireworks are legal in your area before buying or = using.

We are = fortunate to be=20 part of a great nation and should celebrate its foundation and reflect = on our=20 liberty loving forefathers. Let the festivities consist of aromatic = barbeques,=20 children laughing and splashing, family games and yes, safe fireworks = displays.=20 It is possible to put a dent in those statistics and still have a = terrific=20 holiday.

If you have = any=20 questions regarding emergency preparedness, please call your local fire=20 department. They are always there to assist you.