Bruce: Be safe this July 4

Red Oak Fire Chief John Bruce is urging residents to have fun and stay safe this Fourth of July.
The City of Red Oak allows fireworks to be used from 1 to 11 p.m. July 4, and Dec. 31 from 1 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. Jan. 1. Permits can be obtained through Red Oak City Hall, and the permits are free. Using fireworks without a permit will result in a non-scheduled citation. Additionally, other requirements are in place.
“There needs to be a responsible adult present, and some fashion of extinguishment, such as a fire extinguisher or a garden hose. We also want everyone to understand that the area is very dry, so it wouldn’t take much to get a major fire going, Bruce said.
Bruce is also asking for those that choose to partake in fireworks on the Fourth of July to be respectful of their neighbors.
“Sometimes you can drive down the street and it looks like a warzone because there’s fireworks debris everywhere. People don’t want fireworks shot at them or their houses or their cars. Every year we get complaints of debris on properties. The police does what it can to respond to those calls, but they’re inundated with them. It’s on the individual to be responsible about it,” stated Bruce.
Bruce said while most fireworks users handle them responsibly, there are still issues with people using them incorrectly.
“Seems like every year we have issues. Either they’re recklessly shooting them off onto people’s property or structures, or they injure themselves by having one detonate in their hands or on them. We’re really looking for people to be safe when using the fireworks,” Bruce commented.
Bruce shared some safety tips for fireworks users to follow if setting them off at home during the holiday.
“It’s recommended that young children never be allowed to handle the fireworks, and that they should only be used by children with adult supervision. Don’t use fireworks while impaired, and never hold a lit firework in your hands,” Bruce said.
Other tips include wearing protective eyewear when lighting fireworks, never lighting them indoors, and using them away from people, houses, or flammable material. Also, don’t light fireworks in a container, make no attempt to relight or handle malfunctioning fireworks, and soak used and unused fireworks in water before discarding.
While many fireworks are small, Bruce said they can have a big impact if they’re handled incorrectly. Roman candles, Bruce cited, are the fireworks that are most often used inappropriately.
“You can have anywhere from minor burns to losing fingers. We’ve had situations right here in Red Oak where a firework went off in a person’s hand and caused a very severe amount of trauma,” Bruce explained. “It’s wise to remember that you’re dealing with an explosive. If you ignite it the wrong way or use it in an inappropriate fashion, like attaching multiple fireworks to get a bigger bang for your buck, things typically go horribly awry. The last thing we want is someone getting hurt, especially a small child, because they’re curious and want to see what’s going on.”
Bruce estimated they had about 10 injury calls from fireworks last year, but said the number could be higher as people who have fireworks injuries who walk-in to the hospital wouldn’t be reported to the fire station. While some injuries can be from mishandling fireworks, others are caused by malfunctions.
“A lot of times, people think a firework hasn’t gone off, and they go up and re-light it and it goes off, or the fuse is mostly burned down and they don’t have enough time to get to a safe distance before it goes off,” advised Bruce.
While sparklers are often purchased for children to use during the holiday, they can be as dangerous, or more, than other fireworks.
“Sparklers can burn up to 2,000 degrees. Also, since they’re emitting sparks, there’s a burn factor if kids spin around or get in close proximity of each other. Dropping sparkers on their feet can also result in severe burns. It’s important to monitor your kids closely when they’re using them to make sure they’re using them safely. Depending on the situation, they could result in third-degree burns,” advised Bruce. “Depending on the severity of the burn, it could be as minor as a blister, or as severe as needing a burn treatment center.  Glow sticks, confetti poppers and colored streamers are a good and safe alternative for the smaller kids to use.”
Due to the Fourth of July holiday being on a Tuesday, Bruce requested fireworks users be courteous to neighbors who may have to work, or neighbors who are veterans or have pets.
“Most people are going to work Monday, have Tuesday off, and be back at work Wednesday. I doubt many will have the luxury of having two days off. We also often hear about fireworks causing stress to animals, or veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder, so being mindful of who your neighbors and residents are is important. It really does affect them a great deal,” Bruce said
Another option for safety, Bruce said, would be to use fireworks in a location outside of city limits.
“If they had a rural location they could go to, it would be beneficial, so they can get the fireworks out and away from the structures and groups of folks. It would be nice to shoot fireworks in an off-site location other than inside the city limits. Again, we just remind them to be aware it’s dry out so they should have a hose or water handy.”
Bruce also said everyone is welcome to attend the Fourth of July fireworks display being put on by the city.
J & M Displays is the company the city contracts with. All the fireworks are commercial grade and triggered by certified shooters. Everything is under the watchful eye of the ATF and state fire marshal’s office. It will be held on July 4, and it took us a number of years to get that, since these displays are often scheduled years in advance,” explained Bruce. “We were able to get a local shoot team certified through J & M who are able to run the show, allowing for us to have it during the holiday. The shows will be held at dusk at the normal location at the ball fields on Fourth Street. There’s plenty of parking there as well,” Bruce said.