SOUTHWICK – The next couple of weeks always have the potential to be the busiest time of year for fire departments across the country and Massachusetts. With Fourth of July approaching, the Massachusetts Department of Fire Services wants to remind communities about the importance of fireworks safety. In a press release from the department, there have been 826 major fire and explosion incidents that involved fireworks, which was documented by the MFIRS (Massachusetts Fire Incident Reporting System). Of those 826 incidents, there have been 11 civilian injuries, five fire-service injuries, and an approximate loss of $1.8 million.
With the holiday being popular to families, State Fire Marshall Peter Ostroskey addressed the significance of safety for children, in the press release.
“This year, set a good example for your children. Just as children know where you keep the matches and lighters, they know where you stash your illegal fireworks.” He added, “Children imitate adults. If you use fireworks, children will copy you, not realizing how very dangerous fireworks are.”
Adults are highly encouraged to educate children about the dangers of fireworks. (WNG File Photo)
Jennifer Mieth, who is the Public Information Officer at the Department of Fire Services, noted that sparklers can burn upwards of 1,200 degrees.
“Every year there is quite a number of injuries involving sparklers,” said Mieth.
When speaking to Ostoskey, he discussed just how serious the negative impacts of sparklers can be with children.
“We see a lot of life-altering injuries,” said Ostroskey. “Kids lives are changed by something that some people see as a safe practice.”
While fire officials at the state level are promoting fireworks safety, locally, Southwick Fire Chief Russ Anderson is doing the same.
It is illegal in the state of Massachusetts to use, possess, or transport fireworks unless you’re a licensed professional. Chief Anderson touched on the simple reason why their illegal.
“They’re illegal for many reasons but mostly because people get injured and they start fires,” said Anderson. “It brings the hazards to the residents of Massachusetts.”
Always trying to find ways to educate adults about fireworks, Anderson certainly agrees with the beliefs of Ostroskey.
“Kids do what their parents do, they follow the actions of the adults,” said Ostroskey. “We encourage adults to lead by example.”
Ostroskey and the rest of the Department of Fire Services encourages individuals to visit www.mass.gov/DFS to seek out more information about fireworks safety or any other fire aspects.
