Jaclyn Guzmán
Staff Writer
With Fourth of July just around the corner, local law enforcement officials are stressing the importance of safety when using fireworks.
Fire Chief Manuel Mello said there is an ordinance that prohibits anyone from popping fireworks within city limits.
It’s important to follow the ordinance especially because of the recent lack of rain, said Mello.
“We want them to use caution to prevent the spread of fire,” said Fire Marshal Rodolfo Cardona. “It is recommended that they have access to either a garden hose or some type of water hose.”
Cardona added that despite the holiday being relatively calm in comparison to New Year’s Eve and Christmas, the department still receives the occasional reports of grass fires, but more common are reports of children suffering from minor injuries and burns.
“If children are going to be using fireworks they need to be under adult supervision. No matter how small [an injury] is, it’s very painful,” said Cardona.
Fireworks are allowed to be sold beginning ten days before the Fourth of July and must end by midnight the day of the holiday, said Cardona. Vendors must also be licensed by the Texas State Fire Marshal’s Office, and can only sell outside of city limits.
Mello said police and fire marshals will be patrolling the area to make sure people are following the law that could lead to a hefty fine.
Anybody in possession igniting fireworks inside of the city limits is subject to a fine of no less than $174 .
“Quantity doesn’t matter. If they have one sparkler [they’ll be fined], and any fireworks in their possession will be confiscated,” said Cardona.
No one has been fined yet this year, added Cardona.
The county does allow use of fireworks, said Mello, but he advised that residents take the same precautions because of the drought.
Mello said he suggests that if people want to see fireworks, it’s better to simply watch the city’s display.
Recommended Safety Tips
• Obey all local laws regarding the use of fireworks.
• Know your fireworks; read the cautionary labels and performance descriptions before igniting.
• A responsible adult SHOULD supervise all firework activities. Never give fireworks to children.
• Alcohol and fireworks do not mix. Save your alcohol for after the show.
• Wear safety glasses when shooting fireworks.
• Light one firework at a time and then quickly move away.
• Use fireworks OUTDOORS in a clear area; away from buildings and vehicles.
• Never relight a “dud” firework. Wait 20 minutes and then soak it in a bucket of water.
• Always have a bucket of water and charged water hose nearby.
• Never carry fireworks in your POCKET or shoot them into METAL or GLASS containers.
• Do not experiment with homemade fireworks.
• Dispose of spent fireworks by wetting them down and place in a metal trash can away from any building or combustible materials until the next day.
• FAA regulations PROHIBIT the possession and transportation of fireworks in your checked baggage or carry-on luggage.
• Report illegal explosives, like M-80s and quarter sticks, to the fire or police department.
Source: The National Council on Fireworks Safety, Inc
$174 de multa por quemar cohetes en la ciudad
Este Cuarto de julio, funcionarios policiales acentúan la importancia de seguridad usando fuegos artificiales. El jefe de bomberos Manuel Mello dijo que hay una ordenanza que prohibe a alguien prender fuegos artificiales dentro de límites de ciudad. Es importante seguir la ordenanza sobre todo debido a la falta de las reciente lluvias, dijo Mello. " Queremos que ellos usen la precaución para prevenir incendios, "dijo el Fire Marshal Rodolfo Cardona. "
Le recomiendan que tengan el acceso a un manguera de agua. " Cardona añadió que a pesar de las vacaciones que es relativamente tranquilo en comparación con la Nochebuena y la Navidad, el departamento todavía recibe los informes ocasionales de fuegos de hierba, pero más común son los informes de sufrimiento de niños por quemaduras
" Si los niños van a usar fuegos artificiales ellos tienen que estar bajo la supervisión de un adulto. No importa que tan pequeña sea la herida] , es muy doloroso, "dijo Cardona. Esta permitido a vendedores de fuegos artificiales vender comenzando diez días antes del cuarto de julio y debe terminar antes de la medianoche, dijo Cardona. Los vendedores también deben tener licencia de Texas State Fire Marshal’s Office y sólo puede venderse fuera de límites de ciudad. Mello dijo que la policía y bomberos patrullarán el área para asegurarse que la gente sigue la ley que podría conducir a una multa fuerte. " Alguien que enciende fuegos artificiales dentro de los límites de ciudad esta sujeto a una multa de $174.00"