Interim fire chief stresses firework safety for holiday weekend

By: NICKOLAS FONTENOT
Staff Reporter

Many people in the area enjoy fireworks, especially during the festive Fourth of July season. However, according to the Evangeline Parish Fire District Two, Ward One interim fire chief Chris Harrison there are several guidelines that he would like to bring to the public’s attention.
Harrison stresses the importance of adhering to not only some, but all of the recommended guidelines.
The interim chief also stresses the importance of using common sense when it comes to lighting fireworks, which are essentially explosives since they contain gun powder and other chemicals that make them function as highly combustible devices. “Several city ordinances are in place to protect property and homes of our residents in Ville Platte,” said Harrison.
Harrison reports that it is illegal to discharge fireworks inside city limits at any time during Independence Day festivities. However, fireworks may be discharged and enjoyed in unincorporated areas of Evangeline Parish beginning at Noon on July 3rd and continuing through midnight on July 4th.
Harrison stresses the importance of obeying every local law under all circumstances. “One of the major problems we see every single year are children playing with fireworks, unsupervised,” Harrison said.
Harrison maintains that as long as families and children are enjoying lighting fireworks there must be at least one responsible adult present at all times.
The National Council on Fireworks Safety and Harrison both agree and will enforce all firework safety rules; however, one rule stands out among them all according to Harrison and that rule is that alcohol use and fireworks is never a safe combination. Harrison says that as always accidents do occur frequently during the times of the year that fireworks are sold and if there is an accident you should immediately call 911 to report the emergency. As an alternate contact number, the fire department’s emergency line is (337) 363-2121.
Upon collaborating with Donald Bergeron of the Evangeline Parish Police Jury, Harrison and Mr. Bergeron made the decision to limit the use of fireworks to outside the incorporated areas of Ville Platte. According to Harrison if fireworks are not handled properly they can cause severe burns and eye injuries to both children and adults. According to Dr. Steven Dowshen an advocate for child safety and consultant for kidshealth.org, “The best way to fully protect your family is to not use any fireworks at home—period. Dr. Dowshen recommends attending a public firework displays and leave the lighting to the professionals.”
If fireworks are part of your Independence Day tradition, the Evangeline Parish Fire District Two, Ward One and the National Council on Firework Safety, Inc. have several tips that could help prevent injury, and in some cases save lives. The recommended safety tips are as follows:
•Obey all local laws regarding the use of fireworks.
•Know your fireworks; meaning read every cautionary label and performance description before igniting the firework.
•A responsible adult should supervise all firework activities and never give fireworks to children.
•Alcohol and fireworks do not mix. Do not drink alcohol until after the fireworks are completed.
•Always wear safety glasses while shooting fireworks.
•Only light one firework at a time; then quickly move away.
•Use fireworks outdoor in a clear area; away from buildings and vehicles.
•Never attempt to re-light a “dud” firework. Wait 20 minutes and then soak it in a bucket of water.
•Always have a bucket of water and charged (turned on and ready to spray) water hose nearby.
•Never carry fireworks in you pocket or shoot them into metal or glass containers.
•Do not experiment with homemade fireworks of kind.
•Dispose of spent fireworks by wetting them down and placing them in a metal trash can away from any building or combustible materials until the next day.