Florida - Thursday December 29, 2022: As 2022 comes to a close, fireworks will welcome in the new year. Already, the crackling sound of assorted fireworks can be heard in some neighborhoods, typically building up to a crescendo on Saturday night when 2022 ends and 2023 arrives.
And its these kinds of smaller scale, local neighborhood and private party displays that concern fire officials most.
The first rule of thumb for those kinds of events says St. Lucie County Fire District Deputy Chief Paul Langel, is to set up a safety perimeter. “If a spent firework or used firework falls on the house, that’s typically where we go on a lot of structure fires that initiate from the roof on these nights such as New Year’s Eve. And its not because of setting off the fireworks themselves, its after they fall back down on the structures because they don’t have a large enough designated safety perimeter.”
Safety is paramount, says Deputy Chief Langel, especially when children are involved. “If you have children, always supervise the kids. Even if its something as small as a sparkle, you want to make sure that you always have adult supervision.”
Alcohol consumption is another tradition at New Year’s celebrations which, Deputy Chief Langel notes, should not be consumed if you’re lighting-off fireworks. “Of course it’s the new year. We want to make sure we’re not under the influence. We want to shoot off all fireworks when we’re sober. We always say sober is safer.”
In addition, Deputy Chief Langel says, plan for accidental fires. Have a fire extinguisher, a garden hose, or a bucket of water handing, just in case. “And then of course, never ever, ever, approach or pickup a spent or unused firework that didn’t go off as planned.”
Have a safe and Happy New Year.