You Can't Have Fireworks without the Fire, but You Can Avoid Wildfires and Flare-Ups
Appropriate precautions and communication can make this holiday weekend safe and enjoyable for everyone; remember food safety, don't imbibe and drive
By Denise Rivette
As we celebrate the freedom and liberty America embodies, it is always good to remember a few critical safety and social tips that the excitement of celebrations can make us forget. Firework and food safety, sober and attentive driving, and consideration for neighbors (at home and away) sometimes slip from the forefront of our minds and can cause a joyful celebration into an unpleasant or even tragic event. Please take a few moments for a quick refresher.
Fireworks and Fire Safety
Our neck of the woods is still relatively green, but that doesn’t mean it won’t burn. This holiday weekend is a great time to be outdoors and set off some fireworks, but fireworks are not a carefree activity. Fireworks started an estimated 32,302 fires in 2023.
Almost all of the firefighters and medical first responders in Carbon County are volunteers. Do your part to to use fireworks safely and keep fires under control so they can enjoy the holiday as well.
Know and follow fire and fireworks safety guidelines and laws. Check with your local authorities for the rules in your municipality. It is illegal to set off fireworks on County roads and rights-of-way. If you are not on your own property, make sure you are in an area where fireworks are legal and have the property owner’s permission.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is urging the public to prioritize fireworks safety as mishandling fireworks can turn celebration into tragedy. They state:
In 2024, there were 11 reported fireworks-related deaths, most involving misuse and device misfire/malfunctions. An estimated 14,700 people were injured by fireworks last year – a sharp increase of about 38% in deaths and about 52% in injuries respectively compared to 2023. There were an estimated 1,700 emergency room treated injuries in 2024 involving sparklers.
Adults ages 25 to 44 accounted for the largest share of reported injuries (32%), followed by people ages 15 to 24 (24%). The most frequently injured body parts were hands and fingers (36%) and head, face, and ears (22%). Burns were the most common injury, making up 37% of all emergency room visits.
CPSC provides the following safety tips:
Never allow young children to play with or ignite fireworks, including sparklers. Sparklers burn at temperatures of about 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit—hot enough to melt some metals.
Keep a bucket of water or a garden hose handy, in case of fire or other mishap.
Make sure fireworks are legal in your area, and only purchase and set off fireworks that are labeled for consumer (not professional) use.
Never use fireworks while impaired by alcohol or drugs.
Light fireworks one at a time, then move back quickly.
Never try to re-light or pick up fireworks that have not ignited fully.
Follow all instructions and warnings on fireworks and never hold them in hand unless instructions specify to do so.
Be Sensitive to Neighbors Who May Be Sensitive to Fireworks
Fireworks are a great way to celebrate the birth of our Nation, but some may find the sudden and unexpected bursts of light and gunshot-like cracks of sound retraumatizing or they may have animals that may bolt and/or injure themselves. If you plan on setting off fireworks, take a moment to contact your neighbors and let them know so they can be prepared. Giving them notice so they have time to secure their animals and prepare themselves is a kindness that needn’t impose on their privacy or detract from your enjoyment. It can also help avoid a conflict that might escalate into a law enforcement issue.
Food Safety - You Only Notice When It’s Not
The U.S. Department of Agriculture. (USDA) and Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) provide the following food safety tips:
Make sure your summer dish is remembered for its flavor, not a foodborne illness.
Travel Safely:
Place perishable foods like meat, poultry, egg or seafood salads directly from the refrigerator or freezer into a cooler.
When transporting cold dishes, use a cooler packed with ice or gel packs to maintain a temperature of 40 degrees F or below.
Keep hot foods at or above 140 degrees F by wrapping dishes in insulated bags or towels.
Transport your cooler in the air-conditioned passenger compartment of your vehicle.
Avoid the Danger Zone:
The bacteria that can cause foodborne illness grow between 40 degrees F and 140 degrees F — also known as the Danger Zone.
If you plan to keep perishable foods on the table for more than two hours (or one hour in temperatures above 90 degrees F), keep hot foods hot and cold foods cold to avoid the Danger Zone.
Keep hot foods heated at or above 140 degrees F with chafing dishes or preheated grill.
Keep cold foods chilled at or below 40 degrees F by placing them on bowls of ice or keeping them inside a cooler near the picnic table.
Think Nonperishables:
Whole fruits, whole vegetables, bagged chips and dips, dried fruits, nuts and beef jerky are good alternatives that do not require refrigeration.
For more information about food safety, call the USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 1-888-MPHotline (1-888-674-6854) or email MPHotline@usda.gov.
Plan Ahead For a Ride or a Bed
Independence Day is in the middle of the deadliest driving season. Plan ahead. If you are going to imbibe, have a designated driver or plan to stay where you party. Don’t drive impaired by substances or lack of sleep. Do drive alert and aware that any other vehicle on the road may be driven by a distracted or impaired driver.
Slow down and be aware that animals and children can dart from the sides of the road from fear or in fun.
Now that you’ve had a refresher, enjoy your holiday and celebrate the foundations on which this great country of ours is built.
God bless America!