With July 4th on Monday many are planning to celebrate with cookouts and – possibly – their own firework shows, but Orange County Fire Marshal Jason Shepherd is urging people to be safe.
Shepherd says that July 4th weekend has more reported fires than any other time of the year.
There are a lot of reasons for that, Shepherd says, people are outside grilling, setting off fireworks. It creates more of an opportunity for things to happen around this particular time of year.
Cooking may not be at the top of most people’s minds when they think about fire prevention for July 4th weekend, but Shepherd lists cooking in his top two activities where residents need to take the necessary steps for safety.
Safety tips include: always grill outside, keep the grill at least 10 feet from the house, keep children and pets three feet away at all times, do not have any grease or fat built up on the grill, do not leave it unattended and leave your gas grill lid open when you are trying to light it.
Setting off fireworks is another activity many participate in over July 4th weekend and Shepherd’s number one recommendation for fire safety is going to one of the town-sanctioned shows.
Shepherd reminds Orange County residents that any fireworks brought in from another state that fly off the ground and through the air are illegal.
For the fireworks that are legal, like sparklers, Shepherd emphasizes that they burn at 1,200 degrees and account for 16 percent of all firework injuries.
He wants people to keep them out of reach of children and plant them in the ground instead, but not in a dry area.
Sheriff Charles Blackwood says law enforcement is concerned with alcohol and gun safety during the holiday weekend. He urges Orange County residents not to drink and drive, especially since it is a long weekend where people are celebrating for four days.
“First and foremost, alcohol and fireworks do not mix and neither does alcohol and driving. So we are stepping up patrols and there will be an increased number of law enforcement officers across the state,” Blackwood says.
Blackwood warns residents from shooting their guns into the air. Firing a round in the air is dangerous, he says. That round has to come down somewhere, with some type of velocity and it can cause some damage.
In light of his warnings about residents setting off fireworks and drinking, Blackwood understands it is a celebratory weekend and that residents will be setting off fireworks. He hopes residents will maintain a level of responsibility with their actions this weekend.
Listen below to the full interview with Blackwood:
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