Tips for a Fun and Safe Fourth

The Fourth of July is coming and it's almost time to celebrate and have some fun! If you're planning on doing your own fireworks show, there are some safety precautions that you may want to take into consideration. 

Here are some tips from the U.S. Consumers Product Safety Commission and Pinellas County to have a safe and enjoyable Fourth of July.

1) Know which fireworks are legal: Fireworks that go up in the air or explode are illegal in Pinellas county. Using these types of fireworks in not only dangerous because of the crowded areas of Pinellas county, but a good way to get in trouble with the police. If you see a firework for sale that’s packaged in brown paper, stay away from it. Most likely, it’s meant for commercial use and much too powerful.

2) Younger children should stay away from fireworks: The Pinellas county website advises that children under 12 shouldn’t be handling fireworks. For those over 12, they should be under constant supervision.

3) Drink responsibly: While it’s a great time to celebrate this weekend, it can be all too easy to have too many drinks. If at all possible, plan to have a designated driver for times when drinking is involved. Plus, fireworks and drinks do not mix.

4) Keep a bucket of water for used fireworks: Just because the sparks have stopped flying out the firework doesn’t mean it’s safe. It’s a good idea to douse the fireworks after they’ve been used to make sure that there’s no more explosives inside that could go off unexpectedly.

5) Use sparklers safely: Though they look pretty and seem harmless, sparklers can be extremely dangerous. They can reach up 1,200 degree Fahrenheit and shoot off sparks that can ignite flammable objects. It’s important to use caution with sparklers and only use them in wide, outdoor areas.