Safety urged for home fireworks shows

ALBANY — Few events arrive in with the bursting color that the new year does.

This is the third New Year’s Eve that Georgia residents have been able to use most consumer fireworks to celebrate the occasion. As the end of the year neared, interest in roman candles, skyrockets and firecrackers has increased, one retailer says.

“Business started slow this year but it has picked up as New Year’s Eve gets closer,” Michael Pearlman, owner of Big Bang Fireworks at 1510 N. Slappey Blvd., said Friday afternoon. “Fireworks buyers are procrastinators and we hope that with most of the bars being closed we’ll have some guys looking to shoot something off Sunday night.”

Pearlman added that his 60 mm mortar rounds have been his best sellers, followed by repeater cakes.

“Plus, we always sell a lot of firecrackers and bottle rockets, and we’ll be open from 9.a.m. to midnight on New Year’s Eve” he said.

The Georgia Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner’s office on Friday urged Georgians to use extreme caution with fireworks to avoid fires and severe injuries.

“The safest way to enjoy fireworks is to attend a public fireworks display,” Commissioner Ralph Hudgens said. “Each year in the U.S., around 8,000 people are treated in hospital emergency rooms for fireworks-related injuries.”

Last year 158 fireworks-related incidents were reported across the state, Hudgens’ office said, including grass, brush, woodland, vehicle and mobile-home fires.

Pearlman said taking commonsense precautions can prevent those incidents.

“The biggest thing is to just use basic common sense,” Pearlman said. “Keep a water hose or fire extinguisher nearby and always keep your shots well away from your stock.”

Hudgens offered a number of safety suggestions Friday:

— Purchase fireworks from a licensed fireworks dealer;

— Observe state laws regarding their use

— Read labels carefully before igniting the fireworks;

— Ensure an adult supervises all firework activities;

— Never allow a child to ignite fireworks;

— Wear safety glasses when shooting fireworks;

— Light only one device at a time;

— Only use fireworks outdoors in a clear area that’s away from buildings and vehicles;

— Never try to relight “failed” fireworks.

— Use caution with animals since excitement, noise, and lights can frighten them and cause them stress.

For those who want to watch professional New Year’s Eve fireworks in Albany, the city is conducting a fireworks show at midnight downtown. The event starts at 11 p.m. at Riverfront Park. The city’s curfew laws are being enforced, so those under 18 must be accompanied by parents.

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