FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – Firework Safety

For Immediate Release
June 27, 2013

LEAVE THE FIREWORKS TO THE PROFESSIONALS   

FIREWORKS are spectacular to watch, but can be extremely dangerous
in the hands of amateurs. When celebrating the Fourth of July, St.
Tammany Fire District # 1 Fire Prevention Chief Chad Duffaut, urges
families to attend public fireworks displays put on by professionals
who follow state fire codes.

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), whose mission is to
increase fire safety worldwide, strongly supports local fire department
efforts to limit and educate the general public use and handling of
fireworks due to the unpredictable nature of such materials.

“Playing with fireworks invites disaster”, says Fire Prevention Chief
Duffaut. “It’s just not worth the risk. As parents and adults, we have
a responsibility to protect our children. While most parents work year
round to keep their children safe, if they shoot fireworks off in their
yards once a year, they are placing their children at substantial risk“,
says Duffaut.

Statistics from NFPA show that in 2011, there were approximately 2,500
fireworks-related injuries in the U.S. among children ages 15 and under.

•    Among the different types of fireworks in 2011, sparklers were
associated with the greatest number of estimated injuries at 1,200.
There were 900 injuries associated with firecrackers and 400 associated
with bottle rockets. Sparklers accounted for nearly half of the injuries
to children ages 15 and under.  

If you choose to use fireworks, practice extreme caution and remember
these safety guidelines recommended by National SAFE KIDS and NFPA and
local safety advocates.

•    ONLY ADULTS SHOULD HANDLE FIREWORKS. Children should leave the
area immediately if their friends are using fireworks.

•    DISCUSS SAFETY PROCEDURES WITH YOUR CHILDREN. Teach children to
“stop, drop, and roll” if their clothes catch fire and make sure they
know how to call 911. 

•    READ LABELS CAREFULLY AND FOLLOW DIRECTIONS. By law, all
fireworks must carry a warning label describing necessary safety precautions.

•    NEVER USE FIREWORKS INDOORS.

More…

•    BE SURE SPECTATORS ARE OUT OF RANGE BEFORE LIGHTING FIREWORKS.

•    NEVER AIM OR THROW FIREWORKS AT ANOTHER PERSON.

•    NEVER PLACE YOUR FACE OR ANY OTHER BODY PART OVER FIREWORKS.

•    LEAVE PIECES OF FIREWORKS ON THE GROUND AFTER AN EVENT. SOME MAY
        STILL BE IGNITED AND CAN EXPLODE.

•    NEVER CARRY FIREWORKS IN YOUR POCKET.

•    ONLY LIGHT FIREWORKS ON SMOOTH, FLAT SURFACES AWAY FROM HOUSES,
        DRY LEAVES AND FLAMMABLE MATERIALS.

•    SPARKLERS ARE NOT TOYS.  THEY CAN REACH 2,000° FAHRENHEIT–HOT
        ENOUGH TO MELT SOME METALS.

If you choose to use fireworks, follow local fireworks laws;

•    FIREWORKS SALE AND USAGE IS AND HAS BEEN BANNED INSIDE THE CITY
        IMITS OF SLIDELL.
•    STATE LAW PROHIBITS ANYONE FROM OFFERING TO SELL OR SELLING
        FIREWORKS TO ANY CHILD UNDER THE AGE OF FIFTEEN
 
Duffaut offers the following suggestions to safeguard your property
from potential firework related damage:

•    Remove all pine straw and dry leave accumulations from roof
        tops and rain gutters.
•    Reduce your potential for exposure by cleaning the areas next to
        any structures on your property.
•    Wet down your roof tops and soak dry vegetation.
•    Walk around and do a visual inspection of your property prior to
        retiring for the night.
•    Please check smoke detectors again, to further ensure the safety
        of your family.

For more information about St. Tammany Fire Protection District #1 visit us at
www.slidellfire.org or follow us on Facebook – St. Tammany Fire District #1 and
Twitter – @SlidellFire_PIO

Chad Duffaut
Chief of Fire Prevention/PIO
cduffaut@slidellfire.org
Cell:  (985) 960-0976

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