Caution recommended when setting off fireworks; 237 in state injured last year

MOSES LAKE — The snap, crackle and pop of fireworks are part of summer and especially the Fourth of July, but there can be trouble if fireworks are not used properly.

According to information from the Grant County Fire Marshal, 237 Washington residents got hurt while using fireworks in 2020. People got injured when they were hit by fireworks going off or when hit by debris, and they got hurt when holding fireworks. People got hurt when they tried to light or relight something, and when they leaned over fireworks.

Not everything that can be purchased in Washington is legal in Washington — some sellers aren’t subject to state law.

Allen Allbee, the chief deputy fire marshal, said self-propelled fireworks, like rockets and bottle rockets, are illegal in the state. So are things like mortars and Roman candles.

“Be careful of what you’re purchasing, where you’re purchasing it and where you set it off,” Allbee said.

Fireworks are not recommended for use by kids. Young children shouldn’t handle them at all, according to the National Safety Council. Allbee said kids should handle them only with the supervision of adults.

Central Washington is in a drought and triple-digit temperatures are forecast for the week leading up to the holiday. So it’s dry. Sparks and debris from fireworks can travel quite a distance, so it’s important to take note of surroundings when setting up a fireworks firing zone.

People should have a bucket of water or a source of water nearby.

The National Safety Council has recommendations for keeping fireworks celebrations from going wrong. Among its suggestions is setting up a firing zone away from houses and flammable materials.

That would mean taking into account those fields nearby, the undeveloped ones with cheatgrass and sagebrush. Allbee said a green, grassy area without a lot of trees and houses nearby is a suitable spot.

Fireworks, drugs and alcohol really don’t mix.

Fireworks are best enjoyed from a distance. Spectators should stay back, and the person who lights one should get out of the way once it’s lit. The person who’s lighting them should wear protective eyewear, and so should anybody standing nearby.

It’s best to light only one at a time. If it misfires, that’s a misfortune, but people shouldn’t try to relight them. Allbee said if it’s a dud, it needs to be disposed of.

“Submerge them in water,” he said.

In fact, all the leftovers should be doused in water, preferably soaked in water, before disposal.

Fireworks are explosive devices, and they shouldn’t be placed in a container. They’re also only for use outdoors.