Safety first on the Fourth of July
By Melody Brown-Peyton
Published in News on July 3, 2018 5:50 AM
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News-Argus/CASEY MOZINGO
Brother and sister Joshua and Heather Pickel pick out fireworks for their family's Fourth of July celebration Monday at the tent on Spence Avenue.
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News-Argus/CASEY MOZINGO
As people look toward planning barbecues on Wednesday, local fireworks tents are preparing for their two busiest days.
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News-Argus/CASEY MOZINGO
The hottest and most limited item is the "Let's Do This," filled with the most gunpowder of any legal firework in North Carolina.
Most fireworks are illegal in North Carolina, but there are still some options for anyone interested in celebrating the Fourth of July at home.
Much like any other year, a fireworks tent is stationed in the Walmart parking lot along Spence Avenue, offering some of the works that are allowed in the state.
"Our most popular item is the 49er, which sells for $49.99, and our newest item this year is the TNT Sack Pack, which sells for $24.99," said Dave Page, who is selling items inside the tent.
The cost for fireworks varies, starting at $1.50 up to $500. Page, a member of New Life Baptist Church in Clinton, is selling the fireworks as a fundraising event for the church's education school.
The sale of firecrackers and their use are illegal in North Carolina, along with most other fireworks.
Other illegal types are fireworks that leave the ground, Roman candles, bottle rockets and any aerial fireworks. The use of illegal fireworks can lead to a misdemeanor charge, a $500 fine or imprisonment up to six months.
Fireworks that do not explode, spin, leave the ground or fly and items such as poppers, sparklers and fountains are legal.
Due to safety concerns, the Goldsboro Police Department offers safety tips that include:
• Never allow young children to play with or ignite fireworks.
• Always have an adult supervise any firework activity.
• Use caution when setting off sparklers, which can burn at temperatures of nearly 2,000 degrees, a temperature hot enough to melt metal.
• Never place any part of the body directly over a fireworks device when lighting the fuse.
• Back up to a safe distance immediately after lighting fireworks.
• Never try to re-light or pick up fireworks that have not ignited fully.
• Never point or throw fireworks at another person.
• Keep a bucket of water or a garden hose handy in case of a fire.
• Light fireworks one at a time, then move back quickly.
• Never carry fireworks in a pocket or shoot them off in metal or glass containers.
• After fireworks complete their burning, douse the spent device with plenty of water from a bucket or hose before discarding it to prevent a trash fire.
According to the National Fire Protection Association, 11,100 people a year go to the emergency department because of firework injuries.
For those who would instead prefer to watch large-scale fireworks display on the Fourth of July, the Berkeley Mall will offer its fireworks display at 9 p.m.
Richard Custer, who has been putting on fireworks displays for the past 15 years at the mall, said the main goal is to ensure safety during the Independence Day celebration.
"Mall management at the Berkeley Mall does a great job of securing the area, ensuring the safety of everyone," Custer said. "My crew and I will wear safety gear."
The history of fireworks during the Fourth of July began with former U.S. President John Adams wanting the occasion to be celebrated with fireworks as part of the festivities.