Due to safety concerns related to COVID-19, the City of Homestead will not be hosting its annual Race to the 4th Independence Day Celebration. So, City Officials are reminding residents of at-home fireworks safety in advance of Independence Day. According to the National Safety Council, approximately 12,000 people are injured every year due to unsafe use of fireworks. While the majority of these incidents are due to amateurs attempting to use professional-grade, homemade or other illegal fireworks or explosives, an estimated 1,200 injuries were from less powerful devices like small firecrackers and sparklers.
“Since we are unable to host our usual Race to the 4th Celebration, we know it will be tempting for families and neighborhoods to put on their own displays,” said Homestead Parks & Recreation Director Pedro Reynaldos. “If you’re celebrating at home, it’s important to stay safe.”
The following safety tips for the handling and use of fireworks are recommended to keep summer celebrations safe and fun:
- Never allow young children to handle fireworks
- Older children should use them only under close adult supervision
- Never use fireworks while impaired by drugs or alcohol
- Anyone using fireworks or standing nearby should wear protective eyewear
- Never hold lighted fireworks in your hands
- Never light them indoors
- Only use them away from people, houses and flammable material
- Never point or throw fireworks at another person
- Only light one device at a time and maintain a safe distance after lighting
- Never ignite devices in a container
- Do not try to re-light or handle malfunctioning fireworks
- Soak both spent and unused fireworks in water for a few hours before discarding
- Keep a bucket of water nearby to fully extinguish fireworks that don’t go off or in case of fire
- Never use illegal fireworks
In addition to fireworks safety, residents should also follow CDC guidelines like using face masks and promoting social distancing to limit the transmission of COVID-19 at social gatherings.