Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
This weekend, people all across America will celebrate Independence Day with barbecues, parties and fireworks.
Firework and road safety may be their last consideration.
According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, some 12,000 people nationwide are treated each year in hospital emergency rooms for injuries related to fireworks. Twenty percent are eye injuries.
"Fire departments, emergency rooms across Indiana, do see a lot of accidents where people get burned," said Michael Wilson, CFEI, Warsaw Fire Department. "We've had structural fires that have been caused by fireworks."
On June 30, 1989, Wilson said, Ski-Hut, now Reneker's, was damaged due to fireworks. In July 1992, there were two fatalities in Kosciusko County related to fireworks.
Because of so many injuries related to fireworks, Indiana has prohibited certain fireworks from being set off in the state. Permitted fireworks include dipped sticks, wire sparklers, cylindrical fountains, cone fountains, illuminating torches, wheels, ground spinners, flitter sparklers, snakes, glow worms, smoke devices and trick noisemakers. Anything else cannot be set off legally in Indiana.
Even permitted fireworks can still cause injury. And people don't always follow the law when it comes to fireworks. Indiana State Department of Health offers the following firework safety tips regardless of what type of firework is being set off:
u Don't allow young children to play with fireworks.
u Supervise children who are permitted to use fireworks.
u Don't allow boisterous play while fireworks are being used.
u Read and follow all warning instructions.
u Light fireworks outdoors in a clear area, away from flammable materials and houses.
u Keep a bucket of water nearby for emergencies.
u Don't try to relight or handle malfunctioning fireworks. Soak them with water and throw them away.
u Clear people out of range before lighting fireworks.
u Never ignite fireworks in a container.
u Store fireworks in a dry, cool place.
u Always wear eye protection.
Wilson said a bucket of water should be kept handy for extinguishing sparklers. By putting them in water, people can reduce the chances of getting burned or causing a fire, he said.
The best idea to celebrate July Fourth with fireworks, Wilson said, is to go to a fireworks display organized by local municipalities or groups.
"They're done safely," said Wilson, "as safely as they can be."
When it comes to July Fourth safety on the roads, Kosciusko County Sheriff Aaron Rovenstine said, "An alcohol-related vehicle crash is no way to celebrate the Fourth of July weekend."
Drivers are reminded that they can report a suspected drunk driver by calling 911.
"Or you may be just the person to talk a person into letting you drive, before a drunk gets behind the wheel of a car," said Rovenstine.
Nearly half - 253 - of the 508 people killed nationwide in traffic crashes over the 1997 Fourth of July holiday weekend were involved in alcohol-related traffic crashes, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The July Fourth holiday in 1997 was the third most deadly holiday behind New Year's Eve and Labor Day, based on NHTSA data.
As part of its "Designate A Driver" campaign, Mothers Against Drunk Driving encourages party hosts to offer a variety of non-alcoholic beverages for designated drivers and also to ask guests to designate a driver before the party starts. MADD also stresses the importance of not serving alcohol to individuals under the legal drinking age of 21.
