Firework safety tips for the Fourth of July

RAPID CITY, S.D. (KEVN) - With Independence Day just around the corner, people in the Black Hills and surrounding areas are stockpiling fireworks to light up the skies. While it’s a fun annual activity, Fourth of July fireworks are explosives and should be treated with caution.

Areas around Rapid City often feature tall grasses, which tend to burn quickly. Lighting fireworks in these grasses can start fires that spread quickly, it is safer to light fireworks on concrete.

If you have a stockpile of fireworks, smoking near them can be hazardous. Embers from cigarettes may seem harmless, but if they land on a fuse, they can set off fireworks prematurely.

Airborne fireworks should be set up to launch straight up into the air, launching them at an angle could cause them to ignite nearby buildings or vehicles. Holding onto these fireworks can also cause burns and even the loss of fingers.

Rapid City Fire Department Public Information Officer Tessa Jaeger advised people to keep buckets of water or a garden hose handy while setting off fireworks in case a small fire does accidentally occur. She mentioned a bucket can also be useful when prepping used fireworks for disposal.

“Make sure you’re soaking the fireworks that have been shot off, make sure you’re soaking those in a bucket of water for quite some time before throwing those away,” Jaeger said.

Different cities in the Black Hills have varying laws regarding firework use. Hill City, for example, does not permit the use of airborne fireworks. Before celebrating Independence Day, it is a good idea to familiarize yourself with the regulations in your city.

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