Ville Platte Police Department offers tips for New Year safety

Police Chief Neal Lartigue with the Ville Platte Police Department would like to wish everyone a happy 2014 and share a few safety tips for popping fireworks and traveling for New Year’s Eve. There are a few simple rules to follow to keep you and your family safe while popping fireworks.
•Always purchase fireworks from a reliable source.
•Use fireworks as directed on the label; never alter or combine products.
•Observe local laws.
•Use common sense.
•Have a designated person to organize and shoot your family show. Multiple people popping fireworks at the same time can be very dangerous.
•A responsible adult should supervise all firework activities. Children should never be allowed to pop fireworks unsupervised.
•Alcohol and fireworks do not mix. Save your alcohol for after the show.
•Use fireworks outdoors in a clear area; away from buildings and vehicles.
•Never carry fireworks in your pocket.
•Do not hold fireworks in your hand to pop them.
•Wear safety glasses whenever using fireworks.
•Always have water ready if you are shooting fireworks.
•Do not experiment with homemade fireworks.
•Never relight a “dud” firework. Wait 20 minutes and then soak it in a bucket of water. Approaching a firework that appears to be a dud could cause injury if there is a delay and it actually explodes while you are near.
•Soak spent fireworks with water before placing them in an outdoor trash can.
•Discharging a firearm to celebrate the New Year is illegal and extremely dangerous. Shooting a gun into the air is unsafe for you and anyone who may be standing where the bullet actually comes down. There are legal fireworks to use for your enjoyment. If you know that someone is discharging a firearm please call and report it immediately. Some fireworks sound like a gun shot so please be sure that you are reporting gun shots if you call.
While traveling this New Year’s Eve remember the following safety rules to make sure that you, your family and your friends arrive home safely.
•If you are hosting a New Year’s Eve party remember that you are responsible for those who attend. Being responsible could prevent a tragedy.
•Plan ahead by naming a designated driver.
•Serve non-alcoholic beverages as an option to your guests.
•Offer a place to sleep to those guests who have had too much to drink and have no other ride home.
If you are attending New Year’s Eve parties and celebrations:
•The first and most simple rule is, if you drink, don’t drive.
•Designate a driver ahead of time.
•If your designated driver has to leave or cannot take you home, stay where you are until you are sober.
•If you think someone else is too impaired to drive, take their keys so they do not get behind the wheel.
•Please remember it is not just your life that you put in jeopardy when you take risks. Drive safely, drive sober or don’t drive at all.
For these and other safety tips, you can go online to http://www.fireworkssafety.org and https://www.nhtsa.gov/road-safety
From everyone at the Ville Platte Police Department, have a safe, happy and jail free New Year. If you need to contact the Ville Platte Police Department during the holidays, call (337) 363-1313. If you call in a tip regarding illegal activity your call will remain anonymous.