Stay safe while handling fireworks during Fourth of July celebrations
Katie Hightower
As the citizens of Jackson County gear up to celebrate the Fourth of July, they are reminded to follow fireworks safety and respect local ordinances regarding fireworks. While many residents have home fireworks planned, Chris Hawes, Director of Ambulance Services at Highlands Medical Center, wants residents to know Fireworks safety is crucial for a fun-filled Fourth of July.
“To ensure your well-being, remember these easy tips: wear protective eyewear and gloves when handling or being near fireworks. Keep a bucket of water close by to extinguish any unexploded fireworks or in case of a fire. According to the consumer product safety commission, approximately 11,000 individuals sustain injuries from fireworks annually. While Highlands Medical Center encourages everyone to prioritize safety, rest assured that we are here to assist in case of any accidents,” Hawes said.
Jon Lee, Interim Chief of Scottsboro Fire Department, echoed Hawes when contacted about fireworks safety.
“In anticipation of upcoming Independence Day celebrations, we at Scottsboro Fire Department would like to share some tips from the National Fire Protection Association for safely handling fireworks this holiday,” Lee said. “The safest way to enjoy a fireworks show and prevent injury is to attend a professional show.”
The annual Fourth of July show will be held at Goose Pond Colony on Thursday, July 4, at 9 p.m.
Fireworks are fun to watch but can be very dangerous to the general public. Many hospital emergency room visits are due to the use of fireworks each year and are also the cause of an estimated 19,500 fires in 2018.
“Again, the safest way to enjoy the holiday is to watch a fireworks show performed by professionals but if you choose to participate in the use of fireworks, reference the listed precautions,” Lee said. “The Scottsboro Fire Department wishes you a safe and happy Independence Day.”
Lee also said that the City of Scottsboro had an ordinance in effect regarding fireworks.
In the city of Scottsboro, the sale, distribution, use or possession of fireworks is only allowed from June 29 through July 5 and from Dec. 27 through Jan. 2 between the hours of 8 a.m. and 9 p.m. Any other time, fireworks are prohibited in the city. According to the ordinance, “Any person found guilty of a violation of any section of this ordinance shall be guilty of a misdemeanor against the City of Scottsboro, and upon conviction shall be punished by a fine not to exceed $500, or by imprisonment for a period not exceeding six months or both.”
The current fireworks ordinance, number 652, went into effect on Nov. 27, 2023 and revoked ordinance number 634 that had been in effect since 2021.
