|
Safety vital during holiday |
|
|
|
Thursday, 03 July 2008 |
By B.J. BETHEL
Assistant Managing Editor
ST. MARYS — The Fourth of July means cookouts, family and good times. It also means fireworks, to the daring few who look for explosive fun to celebrate the nation’s birthday.
However using them in Ohio is difficult. Under Ohio law novelties, trick noisemakers and sparklers are allowed but other, more potent, fireworks are banned.
Purchasing them in the state is legal, but Ohio residents must sign a form saying they will take them out of state within 48 hours of purchase.
Before purchasing or using fireworks, buyers should check local laws to make sure they are legal. In Ohio, those laws can be found at the Web site www.ohiobar.org, which gives a brief listing of the law in Ohio. City guidelines also apply.
Using fireworks may be fun, but it should be done safely. The National Council on Fireworks Safety has created a checklist to help keep Fourth of July partygoers safe.
• Fireworks should only be used outdoors only. Pranksters with a few beers in them may decide to try out that firecracker in the living room. Not a good idea.
• Always have water handy, either with a bucket or a hose. Summer means heat, which means dry grass in some instances, which can easily catch fire. Water is a must in case of emergency.
• Fireworks should only be used as they were intended and not altered. Little Johnny may be a whiz with the chemistry set, but letting him experiment with putting roman candles into geosynchronous orbit is a no-no.
• Never relight a “dud” firework. Fireworks that have already been lit could detonate in your hand, which would put a quick end to that Fourth of July party. Dud fireworks should be left alone for 20 minutes and than soaked in water.
• A safe distance between the persons lighting and viewing the fireworks and the actual fireworks is permitted. The person doing the lighting should wear safety goggles.
• Designated drivers save lives, as do designated shooters. Let the sober member of the party light the fireworks.
• Those over the age of 12 should only handle sparklers.
• Do not use homemade fireworks or explosives. They can kill or cause serious damage to one’s body.
|
|
Last Updated ( Tuesday, 08 July 2008 )
|
