The Michigan City Fire Department are reminding families and others to be smart, safe, and responsible when lighting and shooting off fireworks.
The Department further stated,
“The Michigan City annual Fireworks will be on July 4th beginning at dusk at Washington Park. If you are planning your own fireworks display please follow these safety reminders and remember that by Local ordinance fireworks may only be used between 9:00 am and 11:00 pm. Please be considerate of neighbors and remember that fireworks may only be set off on the user’s property, unless given consent otherwise.
Never allow young children to play with or ignite fireworks. Avoid buying fireworks that are packaged in brown paper because this is often a sign that the fireworks were made for professional displays and that they could pose a danger to consumers. Always have an adult supervise fireworks activities. Parents don’t realize that young children suffer injuries from sparklers. Sparklers burn at temperatures of about 2,000 degrees – hot enough to melt some metals.
Never place any part of your body directly over a fireworks device when lighting the fuse. Back up to a safe distance immediately after lighting fireworks. Never try to re-light or pick up fireworks that have not ignited fully. Never point or throw fireworks at another person. Keep a bucket of water or a garden hose handy in case of fire or other mishap. Light fireworks one at a time, then move back quickly. Never carry fireworks in a pocket or shoot them off in metal or glass containers. After fireworks complete their burning, douse the spent device with plenty of water from a bucket or hose before discarding it to prevent a trash fire.”