As the Fourth of July weekend approaches, firework safety continues to be a concern for residents nationwide.
In West Texas, those concerns are heightened by persistent drought conditions and hot temperatures, increasing the risk of fires during the nation’s 250th Independence Day celebration.
The Lubbock County Office of Emergency Management spoke with the A-J to discuss firework regulations and precautions residents should take to celebrate this holiday weekend safely.
Clint Thetford, Lubbock County’s emergency management coordinator, said the recent rainfall has lowered the area’s drought index, reducing the immediate wildfire risk.
However, he cautioned that the relief may be short-lived.
“The rain that we had, our drought index has gone down,” Thetford said. “I think the risk is significantly lower, but it doesn’t take long with 100-plus-degree days to dry stuff out and pose a potential fire risk.”
Forecasts are showing highs in the upper 90s and lower rain chances Friday, Saturday and Sunday for the July 4th weekend around Lubbock.
Thetford said the biggest concern from their office is that all citizens follow proper firework protocols and guidelines to keep residents safe.
Fireworks safety tips from Lubbock County
In news release from the Lubbock County Office of Emergency Management ahead of the holiday, they detailed specific fireworks safety for citizens below.
Safety tips for fireworks around children
The news release also listed rules for families with kids planning on lighting fireworks.
Thetford urged citizens to purchase fireworks from a reputable fireworks dealer.
“We wouldn’t encourage anyone to buy any commercial type fireworks that would be homemade or home-brewed,” Thetford said.
Thetford also encouraged residents to be considerate of their neighbors, especially those with pets, and to minimize the impact of fireworks whenever possible.
“Try to be a good neighbor,” Thetford said. “If you know there’s that kind of situation, work with your neighbors to help let them know when you’re going to be doing your fireworks.”
For more information about consumer fireworks safety, the Lubbock County Office of Emergency Management encourages residents to see the links below.
Texas Department of Insurance Fireworks Safety Tips Factsheet English.
http://www.tdi.texas.gov/pubs/videoresource/fsfireworks.pdf
Texas Department of Insurance Fireworks Safety Tips Factsheet Spanish.
http://www.tdi.texas.gov/pubs/videoresourcessp/spfsfireworks.pdf
Consumer Products Safety Commission Fireworks Information Center
https://www.cpsc.gov/Safety-Education/Safety-Education-Centers/Fireworks/
This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Check out fireworks safety tips as Lubbock prepares for hot July 4
Reporting by Sofia Bueno, Lubbock Avalanche-Journal / Lubbock Avalanche-Journal
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Sofia Bueno, Lubbock Avalanche-Journal | USA TODAY Network
