Dublin Fire chief urges caution with fireworks this Fourth of July

America is preparing to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the country. With that comes a lot of fireworks.

The Fourth of July is typically a time for family and friends to come together for a lot of fun, food and games. Shooting off fireworks will more than likely also be on the agenda for Saturday’s holiday. With that in mind, Dublin Fire Chief Matthew Cutler wants people to be aware of the instructions that come with all of the fireworks.

“One thing they should do is only use the state of Georgia-approved fireworks,” he said. “Adults, who are sober, need to supervise the use of fireworks. Whatever you are doing be safe and follow the manufactured-suggested instructions. They need to make sure the lighters, or whatever is being used to light the fireworks, is being managed by an adult. Do not let a child walk away with a fire source. Children get curious and may want to see what else they can light on fire.”

They need to make sure they use fireworks far away from structures or vehicles.

“You don’t want something landing on the top of a house and setting a house on fire,” Cutler said. “You don’t want to damage other people’s property or your property.” 

For a professional firework display, the Dublin-Laurens County Recreation Authority will holds is celebration around 9 p.m. Friday, July 3, at Southern Pines.

“People can come out to the park and hang out,” said DLCRA director Brian Mallette. “We will have the same group who comes in every year to shot off fireworks. Usually thousands of people come out to this.” 

He added that law enforcement will help with traffic afterwards.

According to the state Office of Commissioner of Insurance and Safety Fire, the majority of all firework injuries happen around the four-week period close to July Fourth. 

Fireworks normally start more fires across the country than all other causes combined. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission reported that between 13,000 to 15,000 people are taken to the emergency rooms every year for firework injuries. Many of these involve children.

Sparklers can also be just as dangerous. Sparklers are often dropped on the ground and can cause injuries if people who are not wearing shoes step on them. 

“They also don’t need to put them in a trash can immediately after using it,” Cutler said. “That may start a fire.” 

When it comes to shooting fireworks, the chief urged people to be respectful of others.

“Some people will more than likely have to go back to work the next morning,” he said. “You also want to be considerate of people’s pets. A lot of people’s pets do not enjoy fireworks. People need to enjoy the holiday, but be mindful of others and be safe.”

Earlier that day, a water slide and about 50 cupcakes for children to  decorate at the Farmers Market between 7:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m., said Main Street Director Nichole Padgett.

“We’ll have decorations to celebrate the birthday of the country,” she said. “A couple of weeks ago we had a water slide (at the Farmers Market) and it was so much fun. The mommas shopped, and the kids went to the water slide to have fun.”