How to set off 4th of July Fireworks in Georgia without losing a finger or blowing up a pickup truck

Fireworks are legal in Georgia, but they are only as safe as the person lighting them. If you want to enjoy your fireworks without your house, hand, or pickup truck becoming a casualty, you’ll want to practice a few safety measures before you shoot off any fireworks on the fourth.

Most Georgia fire departments strongly encourage residents to leave the fireworks displays to the professionals.

According to the National Fire Protection Association, more than 19,500 reported fires are started by fireworks each year. Untrained firework handlers may experience severe injuries such as third-degree burns and permanent scars to the head, hands, neck, and eyes.

However, residents planning to use consumer-type fireworks as part of their Independence Day celebration should follow these safety tips:

Purchase fireworks from a licensed and reputable vendor
Read the directions carefully and inspect the device for any defects
Keep a bucket of water, garden hose and fire extinguisher close by
Ignite fireworks outdoors in an open area away from buildings, vehicles, vegetation or any other combustible material
Ignite only one device at a time, and use a “punk-stick” to maintain a safe distance
Always keep a safe distance between yourself and the fireworks device
Remember to allow enough room for the proper functioning of fireworks
Always ignite fireworks on a firm flat surface
Keep children away from firework area and never give fireworks to a child
Never attempt to fix or re-ignite a malfunctioning device; instead, discard it safely by soaking it in a bucket of water
Before going to bed or when leaving the area, remember to inspect the area where fireworks were used
Make sure that no smoldering fires, hot embers or sparks are present from falling fireworks debris; wet the area with a garden hose for added protection
Store unused fireworks in a cool, dry place out of the reach of children or pets and away from open flames
When discarding fireworks, remember to always soak them in a bucket of water for several hours before placing them in the trash

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We need to talk about our cousin Earl. You know the one—he’s got the Confederate flag swim trunks and thinks ‘hold my beer’ is a complete strategic plan.

— B.T. Clark

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B.T. Clark

Publisher at The Georgia Sun – btclark@thegeorgiasun.com

B.T. Clark is an award-winning journalist and the Publisher of The Georgia Sun. He has 25 years of experience in journalism and served as Managing Editor of Neighbor Newspapers in metro Atlanta for 15 years and Digital Director at Times-Journal Inc. for 8 years. His work has appeared in several newspapers throughout the state including Neighbor Newspapers, The Cherokee Tribune and The Marietta Daily Journal. He is a Georgia native and a fifth-generation Georgian.

B.T. Clark

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