Firework safety tips from GRFD

GRAND RAPIDS, MI - If youre lighting of fireworks for the Independence Day celebrations, safety should also be tops of mind.

City of Grand Rapids Fire Marshal William Smith says fireworks can be dangerous to both people and property.

"We just really want to reiterate common sense and what to do when you’re faced with an anomaly. So what we want to do is reduce the risk of people who are lighting off these fireworks and protect the people around them, says Smith.

A few tips for injury prevention are reading the fireworks lighting direction to understand what the device is going to do and how much room you'l need.

Keep people away from here you're igniting the fireworks and where they'll land.

“So one of the mistakes that we’ve recognized is being under the influence and lighting off fireworks. That is not a good combination taking unnecessary risks to yourself or to your friends and family that really is something else that has really got to be in the forefront of your mind," says Smith.

Other common mistakes Smith says are lighting fireworks while they are still in your hand. Smith says never hold them when you are lighting them off as an injury is likely and could be devastating.

Keep children away or far back from fireworks if possible.  

"Even sparklers can pose a risk to small hands and faces and what not. I mean those burn at a very high temperature, very difficult to extinguish at times so that’s why we also tell people to extinguish those fires with a bucket of water or a bucket of sand and when you’re done with the sparkles put them in the sand or water but also have a hose nearby so if you do have a fire you can spray it down," Smith says.

Pets can also get scared and run off and may be hard to locate if they are outside during fireworks. It would be best to bring our furry friends inside.

“If you have a pet that are sensitive to these devices then keep them home, put them in a safe place, give them something to calm them down, make sure they have their favorite toy and blankets and you know if you can spare the time then stay with your pet and comfort your pet you know during those time," says Smith.

In Grand Rapids fireworks can only be ignited on private property until 11:45 at night July 5th.

For homeowners lighting up the night sky July 4th, its recommended to wet outside shrubbery and wet down your lawn to prevent unwanted fires.

“And before going to bed making sure you don’t have any hotspots because just last night Grand Rapids fire department responded to a fire it was a tree that had been impacted by a firework of some sort and it set the tree on fire very close to a garage and had we not been called I think we could have had a garage fire," Smith says.

"So think about that being your home. The bushes, the malt, the trees so all those things can catch and if you have an exterior fire then it can catch inside. So you definitely don’t want that to happen. Make sure you have working smoke alarms too," says Smith.

Be safe as you celebrate the fourth of July.