Michigan emergency officials remind residents of fireworks safety precautions ahead of July 4

DEARBORN HEIGHTS, Michigan (CBS (DETROIT) — The 4th of July is just around the corner and residents are celebrating by setting off fireworks.

There’s nothing better than having your own private fireworks display around the Fourth of July. Yet fireworks cause thousands of injuries each year, so it’s important to remind yourself how to set them off safely so the fireworks don’t fall into the water.

From a distance they are a spectacular sight, but up close they pose a potential danger.

“Fireworks should only be used by adults who are not under the influence of alcohol or mind-altering substances. You should never set off fireworks in areas where falling debris, ash, embers or anything else could land on neighbors’ yards or even on their own homes or roofs or anything like that,” said Phil Hall, Dearborn Heights Fire Department Battalion Chief.

The Dearborn Heights Fire Department says they receive more emergency calls than usual this time of year, and they often involve fireworks.

“So we’re dealing with more of these injuries. There are some traumatic injuries that happen when people handle fireworks that don’t go off or when someone gets hit by a firework,” Hall said.

It is important to always have a bucket of water nearby to extinguish unexploded bombs and avoid setting fire to your trash or yourself.

These are some of the same safety warnings that fireworks sellers make clear to their customers before they pay.

“We definitely don’t want there to be any accidents or anything like that. When you set off the fireworks, it’s going to be very, very hot. It’s going to smoke a little bit. In the dumpster or garbage can, there’s going to be a flame and it’s going to start a big fire, so make sure you douse it with water and don’t just throw it in a dumpster,” said Patrick Mifsud, partner at Exotic Fireworks.

Hall suggests skipping your own fireworks and instead enjoying community displays launched by professionals. If you plan on setting off your own fireworks this holiday weekend, it cannot be stressed enough that you should never let children handle fireworks.

A refresher on fireworks safety is one thing, but it’s also important to understand fireworks laws. There are several laws that govern when and where you can set off fireworks in the Detroit area, and these can vary from city to city and county to county. So it’s always important to check with your local authority to make sure you’re following these laws properly, or you could end up paying a fine instead of celebrating the 4th of July.