Officials: New fireworks laws in Michigan mean even more need for safety
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Officials are offering some tips for dealing with fireworks over the Fourth of July holiday.
"With the dry conditions, you need to be careful where you light fireworks and where you let them go," said Capt. Michelle Stanbury of the Ypsilanti Fire Department. "The new types of fireworks that are legal can shoot off at great distances and start a grass fire."
Area officials are urging fireworks users to be cautious.
The Sheriff's Office also reminds people not to touch, throw or combine fireworks and never to re-light them or to shoot them in metal or glass containers.
"If they don't explode right away, don't go and check on them," warned Stanbury. "Let it go until it's burned out, then wet it down with a garden hose."
Pets should be kept indoors and away from fireworks, and a sober adult should be in charge of all fireworks activities.
Comments
calmic
Thu, Jul 5, 2012 : 1:32 a.m.
Anyone who sets of fireworks after 9 pm should be fined. Most people do not want to be harassed by the irritating noises.
Brad Pritts
Wed, Jul 4, 2012 : 3:29 p.m.
It is true that fireworks are involved in some injuries. US Cons Product Safety Commission reports on fireworks (most recent data for 2010) indicates that there are 3 injuries requiring an ER visit per 100,000 people, and this trend is slowly improving from 5 about 10 yrs ago. By way of comparison there are 9,500 total unintentional injuries/100,000 people/ year, and 11 motor vehicle FATALITIES per 100,000 people per year. So in the grand scheme of things this is a pretty safe amusement when conducted by sober adults. (20% of the injuries were from sparklers!)
jcj
Wed, Jul 4, 2012 : 11:07 p.m.
"20% of the injuries were from sparklers" Not many of those injuries were to adults!
xmo
Wed, Jul 4, 2012 : 3:21 p.m.
It is really sad that the Sheriff, Fire Department and Annarbor.com have to comment on this! Are we really that dumb or do they only think that we are that dumb?
jcj
Wed, Jul 4, 2012 : 11:09 p.m.
Who should be commenting the "experts" on the corner that sell them? I think not!
jcj
Wed, Jul 4, 2012 : 11:08 p.m.
More people than you might think ARE that DUMB!
a2citizen
Wed, Jul 4, 2012 : 5:17 p.m.
Probably a little of both.
mixmaster
Wed, Jul 4, 2012 : 4:07 p.m.
And who do you include in "we"? Yourself? Yes, some people are really that dumb. And the info disseminated by the safety services is good info any time of the year. Don't knock it. It's not all about you.
Richard
Wed, Jul 4, 2012 : 1:19 p.m.
Its sad this article needs to be posted; and even more sad is that the people who need to see this information will never see it.
just a voice
Wed, Jul 4, 2012 : 10:29 a.m.
has anyone tried to study if there are more fireworks being used in Michigan this year? I mean for years we all ran down to the border and brought back the good stuff. We don't even sell mortars in Michigan. Things might be safer this year rather then more dangerous as people might simply be satisfied with the medium strength fireworks we now allow in state, and forego the more heavy stuff that means a drive to the border.
mixmaster
Wed, Jul 4, 2012 : 4:08 p.m.
Since when have people not taken a mile when given an inch?
Robert Granville
Wed, Jul 4, 2012 : 2:16 p.m.
You're not paying attention. Everything is legal now. Most of it was sold here anyway in years past.