Orange County fire marshal Jason Shepherd said 9600 people sought medical attention for injuries related to fireworks just last year, and more than half of those pyrotechnic-related injuries happened between June 22 and July 22. In North Carolina, 15 people were hospitalized with similar injuries on July 4 alone last year.

That’s why Shepherd and other emergency officials across Orange County are calling on residents to keep safety in mind with Independence Day celebrations around the corner.

He said if folks do want to light their own legal fireworks, make sure to do it away from home on a non-combustible surface.

“Driveway, concrete, asphalt, gravel: something like that,” he said. “Something that doesn’t have any grass growing in it. This is the time of year where its dry; its hot; it’s getting hotter.”

Shepherd encouraged residents to go to public firework displays on Independence Day, but he added fireworks bought in-state through official distributors can be trusted to be legal to operate. However, if you go elsewhere, like across the state border, you might bring back a firework that doesn’t mesh with current NC law.

Orange County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Alicia Stemper said the most common age brackets reporting injuries from pyrotechnics are the 20-24-year-olds and those 5 years old and younger. She said even sparklers carry risks, noting that they often burn at between 1800 and 2000 degrees Fahrenheit.

“You think about what you value most, it’s probably your eyes, your face, your hands, your fingers,” she said.” Guess what? Those are the things that are most frequently injured. Pretty hard to get along without those.”

Stemper also warned against shooting guns into the air during celebrations, saying residents should be aware that “what goes up, must come down.”

Shepherd encouraged residents to consult their local fire officials or with his office if they have any questions. The county Fire Marshal’s website has more information.

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