Safety stressed for 4th of July fireworks

MOSES LAKE - While some Basin residents will celebrate Independence Day by attending one of several public fireworks displays, others plan on setting off their own inventory of sparklers, Roman candles and other common fireworks.

Tim Jones, of the Moses Lake Radio Control Modelers, said his group's fireworks stand on Airway Drive has seen many people over the past few days.

Jones said he expects the stand's inventory of fireworks to be wiped out before the end of the week. The stand usually gets most of its customers on July 4, he said.

Tuesday was Jones' first day working at the stand this season, but he said past customers have told him they still plan on setting off fireworks even though there are public shows available.

"People will say they like to watch the city display and then go and have their own," he said.

Jones said he plans to set off fireworks at his home with family and friends on Thursday.

"I'll be back out here later this week, so that's when I'll get mine," he said.

Cameron Cochenour, 10, of Moses Lake, was at the Airway Drive stand Tuesday with his mother Tracy Cochenour. He helped pick out a variety of fireworks, including Roman candles, for his family's celebration Thursday.

He said his family usually sets off fireworks, since they live outside the city limits.

Tracy Cochenour said the family practices safety first when it comes to setting off fireworks.

"It's so easy for a fire to start because of fireworks, especially in this heat," she said. "You always hear stories, and we don't want that to happen."

Moses Lake Fire Chief Tom Taylor stressed the importance of setting off fireworks responsibly.

"The county will sustain some loss of property this Fourth of July, it's almost guaranteed, by careless misuse of fireworks," he said.

Taylor said many injuries, fires and damage to buildings can be easily avoided if people take certain safety precautions when discharging fireworks.

"We ask that people only use legal fireworks," he said. "We don't want children using fireworks and we don't want fireworks used by people who have been consuming alcohol."

Aerial fireworks should be aimed away from crowds, homes and other structures as well, said Taylor. Residents should also put any used fireworks into a bucket of water to make sure they are completely out, he said.

Since fire is a major risk this time of year, Taylor said fireworks should not be used near open fields.

"Also watch wind conditions because anything above 5 to 10 miles per hour, we recommend people don't use anything," he said.

Taylor said Moses Lake residents should remember fireworks of any kind cannot be discharged within city limits. The Moses Lake Police Department will be out enforcing the city's fireworks ban, he said.

He said hand-held sparklers are considered fireworks. Taylor said those caught discharging fireworks will face hefty fines.

Ephrata residents are not allowed to discharge aerial fireworks within city limits. Misty Fairchild, of the Ephrata Fire Department, said aerial fireworks include any fireworks that discharge into the air.

Fireworks purchased within Ephrata city limits are allowed, she said. Stands within city limits have been inspected to make sure no aerial fireworks are sold, Fairchild said.

In Quincy, residents are allowed to discharge common fireworks. According to city administrator Tim Snead, common fireworks include hand-held sparklers, Roman candles and ground spinners, among other types.

Fireworks cannot be discharged between the hours of 11 p.m. and 9 a.m., he said. July 6 is the last day fireworks can be legally discharged, according to the city's municipal code.

Othello Police Department Sgt. Aaron Garza said residents are not allowed to discharge any fireworks within city limits.

Officers will be out enforcing fireworks regulations, he said.

"There is a fine and violations are heavily enforced," Garza said.