Albany fire, police officials want residents to have a safe holiday

ALBANY — Twelve-hundred degrees Fahrenheit … 212 degrees … 575 degrees … 900 degrees … Those are the temperatures, respectively, of hand-held sparklers, the boiling point of water, the point at which wood burns and that glass melts. Those startling temps were an illustration given by the Albany Fire Department of the potential danger of common fireworks.

While the department recommends leaving fireworks to the professionals at large area shows on Tuesday, the bangs and booms that have already preceded Independence Day reveal the reality that plenty of store-bought fireworks will be lit up over the coming days.

Fire officials just want those individuals who purchase them to use common sense and be safe with those devices, said Marcus Glass, assistant chief over fire prevention.

Rounding out some of the statistics, nearly 20,000 fires are started each year by fireworks, Glass said, and of 9,100 injuries that occur on July 4, 44% are fireworks-related.

“Half of the firework injuries that are seen at ERs are extremities — fingers, legs, eyes or other parts of the head,” he said. “More than 19,500 fires are started by fireworks annually. Sparklers account for one in four injuries seen, and ages 8-14 had the highest number of fireworks injuries.”

Glass suggested substituting glow sticks for sparklers.

“You can use red and blue and white silly strings,” he said. “They’re fun for all ages. You can get into the patriotic spirit without the fireworks.”

For individuals who use fireworks at home, Glass recommended using only those commercially available at retail stores. Users also should use the divices in open areas and avoid use in wooded areas to avoid setting off a fire along with the firecrackers.

“Make sure you have a water source in case the grass catches on fire,” Glass said. “Make sure you are using the prescribed ignition method. Make sure you use the directions. Use commercial fireworks deemed safe for personal use. Local fireworks stores have been inspected for the legal fireworks. They inspect it for safety.

“We have a lot of grass fires on the 4th of July that have been started because of fireworks. You’ve got to know where fireworks are going.”

Personal fireworks, as well as firearms, are prohibited at the downtown events area for the Independence Day Celebration and fireworks display. Individuals also will not be allowed to bring alcoholic beverages into the area.

“We don’t want anyone shooting off any fireworks downtown,” Albany Police Department Sgt. Rogelio Diaz said. “We’ve had a problem with that in the past. Hopefully, no one will bring any.”

Diaz also recommended leaving pets at home as they could become frightened, and possibly run away, due to the fireworks explosions.

The event area in Albany will include the Broad Avenue bridge, from which the fireworks display will be launched, from North Front Street to College Drive, which will be closed at 7 p.m. Monday. South Front Street, from East Oglethorpe Boulevard to West Whitney Avenue, also will be closed at that time.

On Tuesday, West Broad Avenue will be closed at noon at Washington Street, continuing to North Broadway Street. Closures also will include College Drive and Old Radium Springs Road.

The police department recommends parking at the Albany Civic Center lot or the parking area west of the Flint RiverQuarium.

“We want people to come as a family and leave as a family,” Diaz said. “We don’t want people dropping off kids. We want people to stay together. We just want people to come downtown and have a good time.”

State law allows the use of personal fireworks from 10 a.m.-midnight on July 3 and 4, and from 10 a.m.-9 p.m. on other days, for those using them at home, Diaz said.

The APD sergeant recommended being courteous to neighbors by alerting them of the use of fireworks beforehand. He also advised against letting small children ignite the devices.

“What I would tell people is to be mindful of your neighbors,” he said. “Let them know. It’s just the nice, neighborly thing to do.

“(Be aware) that around the holiday, people are going to shoot off fireworks.”

File Photo: Alan MauldinAlanMauldin[email protected]
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