You don’t have to be next to a firework to be injured.
The West Virginia Record contains a story regarding a lawsuit arising out of a 2011 fireworks stunt. On the back deck of a fraternity house, a Marshall University student attempted to fire a bottle rocket out of his buttocks. The stunt so startled another student that he was injured falling off the deck.
Ahead of the July 4 holiday, local officials are stressing safety so residents aren’t subject to injuries resulting directly or indirectly from fireworks.
The Lenoir County Sheriff’s Office released the following tips:
nNever give fireworks to small children, and always follow the instructions on the packaging.
nKeep a supply of water close by as a precaution.
nMake sure the person lighting fireworks always wears eye protection.
nLight only one firework at a time and never attempt to relight “a dud.”
nStore fireworks in a cool, dry place away from children and pets.
nNever throw or point a firework toward people, animals, vehicles, structures or flammable materials.
nStay at least 500 feet away from professional fireworks displays.
nLeave any area immediately where untrained amateurs are using fireworks.
nNorth Carolina law prohibits fireworks that explode or leave the ground.
“Following these precautions will help the children and residents of Lenoir County stay safe and healthy this holiday weekend and throughout the summer,” Sheriff Chris Hill said in a statement.
For safety ideas, the Office of the State Fire Marshal directs residents to the National Fire Protection Association, which bills itself as “the authority on fire, electrical and building safety.”
A report issued this month says fireworks-related injuries sent 9,600 people nationally to hospital emergency rooms and started an estimated 17,800 fires.
Sparklers, which are legal in North Carolina, accounted for 24 percent of all fireworks-related injuries.
“They have very hot sparklers that can get up to 2,000 degrees and they can hurt somebody real quick,” said Woody Spencer, spokesman for the Kinston Department of Public Safety.
According to state law, the only legal consumer fireworks in North Carolina consist of snake or glow works, smoke-making devices, trick noise makers, wire sparklers and other sparklers that do not fly, spin or explode.
The vast bevy of what’s available just over the border in South Carolina — bottle rockets, firecrackers, ground spinners, mortars, Roman candles and anything that flies or explodes — is officially off-limits.
“The best thing to do is just not use illegal fireworks. It’s illegal,” Spencer said. “The worst part is somebody’s going to get hurt if they start playing around with something like that.”
Violation of the state pyrotechnic law is a Class 2 misdemeanor and can result in a fine of up to $500 and 30 days to six months in jail.
Spencer suggested letting the professionals handle the job, and there are several fireworks displays happening on July 4.
Fireworks will be ignited over the Neuse River at Pearson Park at 9 p.m., following music at the Sand in the Streets event. There will be fireworks in Emerald Isle at the Bogue Inlet Pier at 9 p.m., in Goldsboro at the Berkeley Mall at 9 p.m., in Greenville at River Park North at 8 p.m., in Jacksonville following Freedom Fest at Onslow Pines Park at 9 p.m., in New Bern at Lawson Creek Park at 9 p.m. and in Wilson at Fleming Stadium after the Wilson Tobs play host to the Petersburg Generals.
Wes Wolfe can be reached at 252-559-1075 and Wes.Wolfe@Kinston.com. Follow him on Twitter @WolfeReports.
Fireworks shows on July 4
Kinston— Pearson Park, 9 p.m.
Emerald Isle — Bogue Inlet Pier, 9 p.m.
Goldsboro— Berkeley Mall, 9 p.m.
Greenville— River Park North, 8 p.m.
Jacksonville— Onslow Pines Park, 9 p.m.
New Bern— Lawson Creek Park, 9 p.m.
Wilson— Fleming Stadium, following baseball game