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CARIE CLELAND

SPECIAL TO

THE DAILY NEWS

New Year’s Eve is right around the corner and for many, that fireworks celebrations. Bogalusa Fire Chief Donald Ladner would like to remind everyone that it is illegal to discharge fireworks within city limits.

According to the American Pyrotechnics Association, an estimated 9,800 people were injured in firework-related incidents in 2023, including 700 injuries by seemingly safe ‘sparklers.’ Forty-two percent of firework-related injuries were burns.

While it is always best to leave the firework displays to the professionals, here are some safety tips from the National Safety Council to keep in mind if you’re celebrating the holiday at home with your family and friends.

• Never allow young children to handle fireworks.

• Older children should use them only under close adult supervision.

• Never use fireworks while impaired by drugs or alcohol

• Anyone using fireworks or standing nearby should wear protective eye wear.

• Never hold lighted fireworks in your hands.

• Never light fireworks indoors.

• Only use fireworks away from people, houses and flammable material.

• Never point or throw fireworks at another person.

• Only light one device at a time and maintain a safe distance after lighting.

• Never ignite devices in a container.

• Do not try to re-light or handle malfunctioning fireworks.

• Soak both spent and unused fireworks in water for a few hours before discarding.

• Keep a bucket of water nearby to fully extinguish fireworks that don’t go off or in case of a fire.

• Never use illegal fireworks.

Keeping these few safeguards in mind can allow for maximum enjoyment and ringing in the new year safely.