Celebrate Independence Day safely

  • Published
  • By 2d Lt. Amy Abbott
  • 2d Bomb Wing Public Affairs
BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. --  In America, the Fourth of July is synonymous with barbeques, parades and fireworks. Yet for thousands of people every year, this time of celebration ends up disastrous. 

"Fireworks have an inherently high risk of fire and injury," said Staff Sgt. Jason Layfield, 2d Civil Engineer Squadron fire inspector. "In 2005, there were an estimated 2,500 fires, 10,000 people treated in emergency rooms, and four deaths due to fireworks."

Because of the increased risk to Air Force personnel and resources, the use of fireworks on base is prohibited.

According to Tim Sprague, 2d CES fire prevention, fireworks may be brought onto base but may not be stored in the dorms, visitor lodging facilities, or any government facility without proper license. A recreational quantity may be stored in military or privatized family housing.

Off base, fireworks are allowed within the state of Louisiana though each city has different laws concerning their use. One such law is bottle rockets are prohibited within the Shreveport city limit.

Several years ago, Sergeant Layfield witnessed the results of four young males having a "bottle rocket war." The players all had bottle rockets stuffed into their cargo pockets. A spark or piece of pipe landed in one of the males pockets, igniting the other rockets. His clothes were set on fire and the rocket fuel burned directly into his skin leaving him with third and fourth degree burns on 80 percent of his thigh, torso, groin and calf.

The lesson learned?

"All could have been avoided if they had been following the proper instructions and taking safety precautions," said Sergeant Layfield. "Never use fireworks for other than their intended purpose and never tamper or modify any fireworks."

A few additional safety rules from the fire inspector are:

- Children should never play with or light any type of firework. Of the 10,000 reported injuries, over half were children under the age of 15. Of those, firecrackers and sparklers were each responsible for 21 percent. Parents often see sparklers as a "safe" firework for children however, sparklers can burn at over 1200 degrees fahrenheit, catch clothes on fire, cause fourth-degree burns, and set fires. 

- Read and follow all warnings and instructions. 

- Only light fireworks on a smooth, flat surface. Do not light them near flammables or combustibles, i.e. dry leaves, houses, vehicles, fuel, other un-lit fireworks.
- Do not try to re-light fireworks that have not fully functioned. 

- Keep a bucket of water or water hose handy in case of fire or malfunction. Do not try to pick up a "dud" firework, douse it with water where it is. 

- Immediately report any fires to your local fire department. 

- If any fires are on base or in close proximity to the base boundary report it to Barksdale AFB fire department via 911 no matter how small, even if it has been extinguished.

There are also additional ways to participate in the festivities.

"There are safe and fun alternatives to purchasing your own (fireworks)," said Sergeant Layfield. "There are several professional firework shows in the local area. Some of these shows include Shreveport's River Blast and the Independence Day fireworks show at Harrahs Louisiana Downs."

For more information on state and city firework laws, check with local law enforcement agencies or fire departments for guidance. To find out safe and alternative ways to spend Independence Day, you can check the local calendar of events at http://www.shreveport-bossier.org.