Missouri Fire Marshal urges caution when using fireworks as July 4th holiday approaches
Firework safety tips can be found inside the story below
More people are making plans for July 4 celebrations as vaccination rates go up and Covid-19 cases drop.
One thing that the Missouri Division of Fire Safety wants residents to keep in mind for the upcoming holiday is firework safety.
“Missourians will have more choices for public fireworks displays this year, and we encourage folks to take advantage of shows put on by professionals at organized events,” State Fire Marshal Tim Bean said. “But we also expect many families and friends to gather to celebrate this year. For those that choose to use consumer fireworks, we urge everyone to take the proper precautions and review safety tips. Safety begins with keeping fireworks away from children and using fireworks only in jurisdictions where they are legal.”
The National Fire Protection Association says about 40 percent of Independence Day structures first are the result of fireworks.
In 2018, fireworks started around 19,500 fires, which led to five deaths and $105 million dollars in property damage.
You can view firework safety tips here.