Fireworks and outdoor parties are mainstays for families and friends celebrating the Fourth of July, but they can also lead to trouble if people are careless, according to Kent’s first responders.
July Fourth is typically a big day for Lieutenant Mike Lewis of the Kent Police Department and Lieutenant Greg Miller of the Kent Fire Department. They said both departments bring in extra staffing for July Fourth and the weekend that follows for the Kent Heritage Festival.
Because this year’s Fourth of July falls on a Friday, first responders are expecting more activity than usual.
“When a holiday like this falls on a weekend, we expect it to be that much more busy,” Lewis said. “That’s something we’re going to be on the lookout for.”
Lewis and Miller’s biggest concern for the day is improper firework usage, as they said it could cause burns, dismemberment and death. Miller said key firework safety tips include following manufacturer’s recommendations, discharging them outside, firing them 150 feet away from children and spectators, soaking unused fireworks in water before disposing and using store-bought fireworks instead of homemade ones.
Miller added that holding lit fireworks and trying to reignite fireworks that didn’t go off is extremely dangerous.
“You’ll see all kinds of videos out there about it,” he said. “Bad things can happen.”
Due to cookouts during the day and firework shows at night, Fourth of July parties can go on for long stretches of the day, which means parties can go late into the night. This could lead to disorderly conduct and noise complaints if celebrators aren’t being mindful of neighbors, Lewis said.
“When it comes to dusk, some parties are just getting started,” he said. “People are anticipating staying up for quite a while, probably some extra alcohol consumption. We tend to see a lot of house parties on this weekend.”
Other pieces of advice include being wary of the hot temperatures and staying hydrated, keeping an eye on pets who may become overheated or fearful of fireworks and paying attention to grills and kitchen areas when cooking.
While Lewis and Miller advise staying cautious and responsible, they also encourage local residents to have fun and enjoy the holiday.
“July Fourth is an American holiday, and we should all celebrate it,” Miller said. “We just need to make sure that we’re doing it in a responsible manner that not only protects us, but others in our community as well.”
For any necessary assistance on the Fourth of July, contact the Kent Fire Department at 330-676-7393 or the Kent Police Department at 330-673-7732.
John Engoglia is a reporter. Contact him at [email protected].
