Published: July 01, 2009 08:57 pm      

Officials urge lawful fireworks use

EDMOND — Against the pitch black night sky fireworks are a beautiful sight to behold — the tell-tale plume, the burst of color, the accompanying explosions.

However, away from authorized displays, illegally used, they can be destructive and deadly.

They also can cause structure fires, and Tim Wheeler, fire prevention chief for the Edmond Fire Department, wants city residents who plan to use them to know the rules of fireworks use.

The safest way to prevent fireworks-related injuries is to leave fireworks displays to trained professionals, Wheeler said.

Nationally, 11 people died and an estimated 9,200 were treated in emergency rooms for fireworks-related injuries in 2006, according to the Centers for Disease Control. An estimated 5 percent of the injuries treated in ERs required hospitalization.

Wheeler said Edmond has in recent years been spared fireworks-related structure fires, but in the past injuries have occurred.

Fireworks can be associated with blindness, third-degree burns and permanent scarring. They also can cause life-threatening residential and car fires.

In spite of federal regulations and varying state laws, many types of fireworks still are available. Distributors often sell fireworks near state borders, where laws prohibiting sales on either side may differ, according to the CDC.

Bottle rockets, illegal in Oklahoma, can fly into people’s faces and cause eye injuries. Sparklers, which burn at more than 1,000 degrees, can burn skin and ignite clothing. And firecrackers can injure hands or faces if they explode at close range.

“Any type of fireworks can be dangerous,” Wheeler said.

In addition to availability, fireworks type and being too close are other factors contributing to injury including lack of physical coordination, curiosity and experimentation.



State, local law

Joanne Sellars, assistant state fire marshal, said the State Fire Marshal’s Office is receiving calls from metro residents about fireworks usage. Since the office covers areas lacking local departments, Sellars encouraged residents to report illegal usage to local police departments or sheriff’s offices.

Glynda Chu, Edmond Police Department spokeswoman, said anyone witnessing unlawful use of fireworks should call 9-1-1 and either a police officer or the fire marshal’s office will respond.

“We would like to remind everyone it is unlawful to possess or have fireworks in your vehicle in Edmond city limits,” Chu said. “If they are found, a citation will be issued and the fireworks will be confiscated.”

Wheeler said offenders face a $240 fine.

In Oklahoma, it is illegal for retailers to offer to sell or to sell any fireworks to children under age 12 unless they are accompanied by an adult.

Under state law it also is illegal to explode or ignite fireworks within 500 feet of any church, hospital, asylum, unharvested, flammable agricultural crop, public school or where fireworks are stored, sold or offered for sale.

For more information on state fireworks law for retailers and consumers, visit www.firemar.state.ok.us.



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