June 24, 2009 - Shreveport Fire Department Sounds the Alarm on Fireworks

Be Careful, Use Common Sense and Be in Control!

Starting noon June 25 through 10:00 p.m. July 5 it is legal to purchase fireworks within the City of Shreveport. However, the Shreveport Fire Department stresses that discharging fireworks during the listed dates are strictly prohibited between the hours of 10 p.m. and 8 a.m.

Additionally, Louisiana state law prohibits anyone from offering to sell or selling fireworks to anyone under the age of fifteen. Furthermore, City of Shreveport ordinance Sec. 30-91 and R.S. Title 51 warns that it shall be unlawful for any person to, at any time, possess, sell, or use any type of bottle rockets or sky rockets with sticks.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in 2006, eleven people died and an estimated 9,200 were treated in emergency departments for fireworks-related injuries in the United States. Also, the CDC maintains that more than two-thirds of all fireworks-related injuries in 2006 occurred between June 16 and July 1. Subsequently, the Shreveport Fire Department urges everyone to exercise good judgment and offers the following important safety tips:

● Fireworks should be used outdoors away from your house, any flammable materials, and onlookers.
● A bucket of water should remain nearby for extinguishment of fireworks that do not go off or in case there is a fire.
● Adults should closely supervise children.
● Light fireworks one at a time.
● Use fireworks according to manufactures recommendations.
● Young children should never be allowed to handle fireworks.
● Never ignite fireworks in any container.
● Do not try to re-light or handle malfunctioning fireworks.
● Attend a public firework display if possible.

For more information on fire or injury prevention issues contact the Shreveport Fire Department at 673-6740.