The City of Columbus Fire Department encourages residents to observe the following safety tips:
• Do not allow young children to play with or ignite fireworks.
• Never throw or point a firework toward people, animals, vehicles, structures, or flammable materials.
• Adults should always supervise fireworks activities. Even sparklers pose a hazard for children. Sparklers burn at temperatures of about 2,000 degrees - hot enough to melt some metals.
• Only light one firework at a time.
• Never carry fireworks in a pocket or shoot them off in metal or glass containers.
• Never place any part of your body directly over a fireworks device when lighting the fuse. Immediately back up a safe distance after lighting fireworks.
• Only use legal fireworks sold from Nebraska fireworks stands.
• Avoid buying fireworks packaged in brown paper as this is often a sign the fireworks were made for professional displays and could pose a danger to consumers.
• Always have a bucket of water and a charged water hose nearby in case of fire or other accidents. It is also a good idea to have a first-aid kit handy.
• Never try to relight fireworks that have not ignited.
• Keep pets indoors to reduce the risk of them running loose or getting injured.
• Never mix the consumption of alcohol and the lighting of fireworks.
• After fireworks complete their burning, douse the spent device with plenty of water from a bucket or hose before discarding it to prevent a trash fire.