Safety Tips for the Fourth of July

The Fourth of July, America’s Independence Day, is a time of getting together with family, grilling outside, and watching fireworks displays either at a rural home, or taking in a large professionally arranged display.

Fireworks have been a part of the Fourth of July for many years, and people have warned of the dangers of improperly used fireworks. In The Daily Enterprise, Tuesday Evening, July 5, 1910 – So far as known there wasn’t a kid in Sheridan who so much as burned his fingers yesterday by firecrackers or “sizzers.”

Which was a good thing in 1910, and is always a good thing when there are no injuries. If one chooses to have a home fireworks display, here are a few safety tips to make sure your Fourth of July is safe and enjoyable.

The first thing to remember is that within the Sheridan city limits, fireworks are illegal. Each town can set their own rules, so if in doubt call the mayor or a council member to find out what the restrictions are in the outlaying communities. Residents are urged to take in the commercial fireworks displays being offered around the area.

According to the National Fire Protection Association, around 20,000 fires are started by fireworks each year. Nationwide, over 9000 injuries that require medical attention are treated during the month of July.

Dr. David Nickerson, MD, who is the medical director at the Urgent Care Clinic at the Sheridan Memorial Hospital, said in 2022 that the most common injuries are burns, but there is also the risk that more serious injuries can be caused by exploding fireworks. The majority of burns are on the hands and arms.

“Don’t let young kids handle fireworks,” he said. “Sparklers are not safe for young children, as they burn at very high temperatures and burns from them are a common cause of injury on young children.”

He said that older kids, who are more daring, should be supervised. The main danger for older kids are Roman candles and bottle rockets. “Don’t point them at anyone,” Nickerson said.

Firecrackers can explode and cause even more serious injuries, and firecrackers should not be placed inside cans or other containers, as the shrapnel from the explosion can be very dangerous. He added that the handler should always light only one firework at a time, and don’t try to relight a dud. “Sometimes the firework won’t go off, and people can be injured when they approach to re-light it and then the firework explodes.”

Some other basic safety rules are: Do not hold a lighted firework in the hand, except for those, like sparklers, that are designed to be hand-held. Never light fireworks indoors; keep a safe distance from lighted fireworks; and people who are impaired should not light or handle lighted fireworks.

Eye protection should be worn as well. Nickerson said about 20% of eye injuries are caused by flying objects.

He added that Wyoming ranks seventh in the nation, per capita, in the number of fireworks purchased, and ranks sixth in the nation in fireworks injuries.

Fires can be a danger in handling fireworks as well, especially in a dry year, make sure the area that you are using for fireworks is free of dry grass, or anything combustible. Chad Brutlag, Division Chief-Opertions, said that the grass and brush is drying out quickly, so anyone shooting off fireworks should be careful.

He also noted that winds can carry sparks for quite a distance, and can ignite fires, sometimes immediately, sometimes the sparks smolder and cause a fire later. He added that most people are pretty good about making sure they don’t start a fire.

Having a hose or a fire extinguisher nearby to put out any fires is a good idea, and fireworks should never be directed towards another person, animal, house or vehicle.

Chris Thomas, County Fire Warden, in a 2022 interview, said that anyone shooting off fireworks should first be respectful of their neighbors. Dogs, cats and livestock can be terrified by the noise and the unusual bursts of light.

He also mentioned that anyone who is planning a bonfire or any type of burning, should call fire dispatch to let them know, so that if a neighbor sees the smoke and calls in, the fire department knows that there is a controlled burn in progress at that address.

“Everyone just be smart,” Thomas said.

In 1922, there was a move to eliminate fireworks on the Fourth. The Sheridan Enterprise July 1922 there is this story.

A Sane Fourth – The explosive enthusiasm of young America seems destined to receive a severe check on the Fourth, judging from the plans being made to bottle it up.

A national movement to suppress all unnecessary noises on Independence Day is receiving considerable support throughout the country. The governors of several states have expressed their sympathy with it and promised their aid. The abolition of the use of fireworks, except for public display, is also being actively and widely discussed, while m some parts of the country unusually restrictive measures regarding their sale have been adopted.

The question of a noisy or a quiet Fourth is m many ways a debatable one. There are ample arguments on both sides, but unfortunately for the advocates of the former, statistics are strongly with those who plead for a quiet celebration.

The loss of life and property last year, not to mention the thousands of people who were seriously if not permanently injured by fire, fireworks, firecrackers, etc., bordered almost on the criminal, and leaves no room for doubt that some decisive steps are necessary to check the destructive tendencies of misguided patriotism.

A leading newspaper suggests that the old-fashioned Fourth, with the reading of the Declaration of Independence, with military parades, with choruses of school children, might well be revived with pleasure and profit. In what better way can the real significance of Independence Day be brought home to the minds of America’s future citizens? Let us have a sane Fourth.

However, the movement never really caught on. Today, many cities ban fireworks within the city limits, but rural residents still buy and light fireworks to celebrate the Fourth, and many cities have professional fireworks displays for all to enjoy. Information from the National Fire Protection Association states that the only safe way to view fireworks is at a professional show.

Keeping Pets Safe and Secure as Well

Pets are not always a big fan of the fourth of July and fireworks. Dogs, with their excellent hearing, can be extremely stressed out by the noise, as are cats. Horses can be frightened by the noise and the unexpected bursts of light from the fireworks.

According to Marie here are a few things people could do to help keep their pets safe during fireworks or thunderstorms.

Marian Eccles Unleashed Foundation & Academy, shared these tips to make sure that pets are safe and secure. “Make sure your pets are inside and your house is secure, meaning, make sure windows are closed and even locked…cats and dogs can leap out windows when panicked. Mind your door “knobs”, horizontal lever door “knobs” are easy for dogs and cats to open, especially when feeling panicked.

If there is a safe space, ideally a crate or room, where the animal could stay, leave a fan or something with white noise running. At the very least a radio or tv with calm quiet sounds,” She said in an email interview.

She added, that one should make sure your dogs have their ID tags and dog license up to date, so if they do get out they can be brought home quickly and easily.

Train your pet to use a “thunder jacket”, prior to stress event or it will not work. The animal must be able to relate the feel of the jacket to calm and comfortable times. Like a cozy blanket can be do a human.

Finally, if nothing else seems to work, talk to your veterinarian about medication that could calm your pet, prior to the stress event.

Have a safe and happy Fourth of July everyone.