Friday, Jul. 04, 2008

Independence Day sparks safety concerns over fireworks

By MICHAEL HINES

News-Mirror Writer

A bright side to the economic downturn could be keeping Mansfield’s skies dark during the Fourth of July.

Fire marshal Ed Henderson hopes the fiscal slowdown causes folks to save their money for fuel instead of fireworks.

"Maybe they won’t have the funds to spend" on fireworks, he said and chuckled.

Still, if past seasons are any indication, that prospect’s going up in flames and high-pitched whistles.

Tonight promises plenty of pop and crackle as the Independence Day holiday comes to an explosives-lit sky end. Most of the night shouldn’t be a problem. Drunken and general rowdiness doesn’t typically come out of Mansfield’s revelry.

"People tend to have more parties, but generally, everything is pretty well" normal, said Thad Penkala, police spokesman. "Most of the calls we see are people setting off fireworks."

Fireworks have been illegal in the city for nearly 20 years. That means folks can be charged for possessing fireworks as well as discharging them.

What’s more, people aren’t allowed to fire the explosives within 5,000 feet of the city limits. Violating the law could result in a Class C misdemeanor and cost from $250 to $2,000 in fines.

Even then, though, the fire department fielded 80 calls about violators last year. That’s pretty typical for the July Fourth holiday.

"It gets bad," Henderson said. "People don’t heed the warning. It’ll be great if citizens comply."

The state issued a burn ban for Tarrant County on Tuesday, including during the July Fourth holiday, meaning that no outdoor burning was allowed, including fireworks.

What’s more, many of the fireworks fiends are foreign.

"We probably don’t come in contact with half the people out there firing," Henderson said, explaining that residents from Grand Prairie and Arlington may still see Mansfield as rural where fireworks rule.

Thus, the need for safety. The National Council on Fireworks Safety offers several tips: don’t use fireworks indoors; always keep water nearby; never re-light a "dud" firework but wait 20 minutes and soak them in water; don’t combine them; don’t use homemade fireworks.

The big concerns involve injuring eyes and limbs, with kids the usual victims.

"Sometimes people don’t realize how dangerous the fireworks are," Henderson said.

Beyond bodily harm, property is also at risk.

The explosives can spark grass fires, which can quickly spread to nearby homes.

The threat of grass fires is pretty good considering the weather conditions. Henderson suggests an alternative: don’t spark, head to the ballpark.

The city is set to have a fireworks show tonight. "Mansfield’s Rockin’ 4th of July" event is set for 6-10 p.m. at Big League Dreams sports facility at 500 Heritage Parkway. Fireworks are set to start at 9:30 p.m. Admission is free.

"Leave the shooting of fireworks to the professionals," Henderson said.