Avoid This Potentially Deadly Mistake When Doing Fireworks

(KTDY) - The celebration is underway as America celebrates its 250th birthday, and with that celebration come the fireworks.

Soon, you will be hearing and seeing a lot of fireworks displays from your home, and while they may be beautiful to see and fun to do, they can also be very dangerous.

A lot of times, we get caught up in the moment when it comes to setting off fireworks at home, and sadly, some people continue to make the same mistake each and every year in Acadiana when it comes to disposing of the fireworks that were ignited.

Firework Laws in Louisiana

It is illegal to discharge fireworks within 1,000 feet of any church, hospital, asylum, school, or public building. Furthermore, fireworks cannot be thrown from, lit inside, or aimed at motor vehicles.

The Louisiana State Fire Marsha's Office recommends that you light fireworks 200 feet from buildings so that you don't put any establishment in harm's way, and that leads me to remind you about your own home.

Not only do you need to be aware of ordinances in your town/city and parish, but you also need to remember what not to do with fireworks that are hot after having some fun.

Each and every year after a holiday that includes fireworks, we come here to sadly report that someone's home was destroyed in a fire because someone did not dispose of the fireworks properly.

Often, after some have ignited their fireworks, they simply toss them in a garbage can and forget about them. Well, that spells trouble. The fireworks that are tossed away are often still hot and can ignite in the can, setting the can and/or surroundings on fire.

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I can recall three incidents in Acadiana where homes were damaged by fire after the homeowners threw the fireworks away while they were still hot and placed the can they were in near the house or in the garage.

Never place hot fireworks in a trash can once you're done popping them; instead, wet them, let them sit out overnight, and place them away from your home. Often, I make a pile of leftover firework debris in the center of my cement driveway and saturate it with the garden hose. The following day, I dispose of them.

While many of you may already be aware of this safety practice, we are all so busy and distracted, so I share this with you in hopes that you don't put yourself, your family, or your property in danger. Enjoy the fireworks, but please be safe.

Firework Safety Tips

The Lafayette Fire Department adds the following safety tips when using fireworks:

• · Buy only legal fireworks from reputable retailers.
• · Do not alter or make your fireworks.
• · Never allow children to light fireworks.
• · Adults should always supervise fireworks activity.
• · Never light fireworks in your hand.
• · Light one firework at a time and monitor embers released with a bucket of water or fire extinguisher.
• · Never operate fireworks while impaired.
• · Light fireworks at least 200 feet away from structures, vehicles, and rubbish.
• · Don’t relight a “dud”. Give it time and soak it with water.
• · Always read and follow the label directions carefully.
• · Fireworks should be placed on a hard, smooth surface before ignition.
• · Never point or throw fireworks at people, pets, cars, or buildings.