Milton Issues 4th of July Fireworks Safety Tips

MILTON, GA -- With the Independence Day celebrations drawing closer, Milton Fire Marshal Matt Marietta encourages residents to practice fire safety.

While the U.S. Fire Administration recommends you attend a public fireworks display, if your holiday includes consumer fireworks, please be very careful with them and always be fire-aware and courteous of your neighbors.

While the sights and sounds are exciting for most of us, fireworks can be less enjoyable for both large and small animals and even some veterans.

Fireworks are legal in the state of Georgia, but there are some restrictions on their usage

• No fireworks after 9 p.m. That includes this Saturday and Sunday. Fireworks are allowed after 9 p.m. on July 3 and July 4 when they can be used up to midnight.
• You cannot use fireworks in/on a public road.
• You also cannot use fireworks within 100 yards of a(n):
• Gas station or fuel tank
• An electric substation
• Within any county or city park, historic site, recreational area, or other property, unless the county or city has granted a special use permit
• Within 100 yards of a hospital, nursing home, or other health care facility
• While under the influence of alcohol or any drug to the extent that it is unsafe to use consumer fireworks

Milton police and fire code personnel are authorized to enforce these regulations in the interest of public safety.

Fire Marshal Marietta reminds parents and adults to make sure children are always supervised around fireworks and kept at a safe distance.

"I urge parents who choose to use fireworks to take the opportunity to demonstrate and teach proper fire safety to any children present," he added.

According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, approximately 10,000 people are injured annually by fireworks with 2015 recording a 15-year high (11,900) and on average 25 percent of the total injuries are reported for children 14 years and under.

Remember, embers can burn in the packaging even after the fireworks are done, and used fireworks in a trash can smolder unseen for several hours. Used fireworks should be watered down and stored away from the house or any flammable structures/materials after the festivities end. This will allow them to cool down and help prevent the late night tragedy or your home catching fire.

For a fire-related emergency, please call 911. For more information on fireworks or for any non-emergency fire and safety related concern, contact the Milton Fire-Rescue at 678-242-2541 during normal business hours or by email at fire.marshal@cityfomiltonga.us.

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