FLORENCE, SC (WBTW) – The weather and firecrackers are both hot over the Independence Day weekend.
Experts in Florence want to make sure your family is safe during the holiday.
Florence residents need to use caution when setting off fireworks, says Captain Anthony Fox with the West Florence Fire Department.
Captain Fox says you should only buy fireworks from licensed businesses.
Circus Fireworks Assistant Manager Carlos Barr says they’ve been busy unloading boxes and stocking the shelves.
“This fourth everyone wants to fire off fireworks this time, it’s some very strong patriotism I’ll say,” said Barr.
Make sure you check the ordinances in the area you live before lighting any fireworks.
In the city of Florence no permits are needed for a few days before and after the fourth of July
Captain Fox says always be aware of your surroundings when shooting fireworks, keep a safe distance from homes dry grass and trees.
He says keep smaller children away from where the fireworks are being used.
And always place fireworks on a level and hard surface such as pavement, or asphalt.
“If you don’t mount them somebody can kick it over as soon as you light it then you’ll try to run off. If it falls over then that’s where it’s going to shoot and if you don’t load it correctly it can just blow up, you can blow up the whole tube right there where your standing and you can catch some burns and fires,” mentioned Barr.
The National Fire Protection Agency reports two out of every five fire related incidents involved fireworks on the 4th of July.
