State Officials Urge Caution When Using Fireworks

It’s the 4th of July weekend, and many people are buying fireworks to celebrate America’s Independence.

Fireworks purchases by private citizens is now legal in the State of Georgia and Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner Ralph Hudgens urges residents to use extreme caution to avoid fires and serious injuries when using fireworks this Independence day.

State Fire Marshal Dwayne Garriss agrees.

“Last year in the U.S. there were about 8,000 people who were treated for fireworks-related injuries,” Garriss said. “We actually had 59 fireworks-related fires in the state last year. And now that fireworks are legal in the state now, we want to make sure people use them in the safest way possible.”

Garriss says though fireworks are legal in Georgia, you still need to follow the laws and safety rules regarding their use.

“Observe the state laws regarding fireworks,” Garris said. “They include use only on property that they have control over, do not shoot them off in the road. Also, read the instructions before using fireworks. Do not shoot them off near public structures such as a hospital or any public building. And make sure they have a bucket of water nearby or a hose ready to use in case there is a fire in the nearby grass or structures, they can readily extinguish the flames.”

Garriss also says if you have a devise that doesn’t go off, do not try to re-light it. Instead, wait about five minutes and then place the item in a bucket of water.

Garriss also had one other bit of advise.

“Leave the professional fireworks to the professionals,” he said.

Meantime, the Georgia Forestry Commission also asking everyone to use extra caution with any type of outdoor burning, including campfires.

Above normal dry conditions have persisted over most of the state for several weeks according to Frank Sorrells, Chief of Protection for the Georgia Forestry Commission.

Sorrells tells WLHR News that under these types of dry conditions, where grasses and natural vegetation found in the forest lack moisture, any type of ignition source can cause a wild fire.

On average, Georgia loses approximately 46,000 acres to wildfires annually.

For more information about safe burning visit www.gatrees.org.