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Fireworks: Keep it legal and have a safe holiday
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
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For most, it's a three-day weekend with food, festivities and fireworks, but for the Maryland State Fire Marshal's Office its full time duty for the Fourth of July weekend.
"We've inspected all the sites in all three counties," said Duane Svites, deputy chief fire marshal of the Southern Region of Maryland, said of the places that sell fireworks. Generally, anything sold in Maryland has been inspected and is authorized for use, he said.
"It's like Christmas for us," he said of the busy weeks leading to Independence Day.
Svites warns the public to only light off legal fireworks that have been purchased in Maryland. By law only "ground-based sparklers" are legal as well as snap and pops and sparklers, he said, adding fireworks purchased in Virginia, Delaware, Pennsylvania and North Carolina may not be legal.
The fire marshal's office, along with its law enforcement partners, will be issuing "criminal citations that carry a fine" and will confiscate all illegal fireworks, Svites said.
A fireworks display shot off a barge just south of the Patuxent River Bridge got the Overlook Drive community in trouble last year because residents set off fireworks without a permit. This year the community got a permit and a licensed shooter and shot off fireworks last Saturday night in conjunction with a fireworks display across the river at Golden Beach, Svites said.
"They did it right. It went off without a hitch," he said.
The Maryland State Fire Marshal William E. Barnard warns Marylanders of the dangers of using illegal fireworks and gives precautionary measures in a press release.
"Warmer temperatures and backyard picnics are a fun-filled way for everyone to enjoy our Maryland summers. Unfortunately, illegal fireworks can bring a tragic end to an otherwise happy family event," according to Barnard.
The Maryland Fire Marshal's Office suggests keeping fireworks away from small children and having them enjoy fireworks from a safe distance. Avoid using fireworks when drinking alcoholic beverages because alcohol impairs judgment and reaction times, making an injury more likely. And only use legal fireworks that do not fly up into the sky.
"Fireworks are part of a long tradition of summer and holiday celebrations. By visiting one of the many public fireworks displays we can all enjoy a safer holiday!" said the state fire marshal.
Public fireworks displays will be at Chesapeake Beach on July 3 and at Solomons Island on July 4.
