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Police, Fire Officials Urge Residents Not to Discharge Fireworks in City: Officials Recommend Some New Year's Safety Tips

Posted on: Saturday, 31 December 2005, 15:00 CST

By Wesley Sholtes

ight Ridder/Tribune Business News

Dec. 31--HARLINGEN -- Police and fire personnel ask residents wishing to celebrate the new year not to discharge fireworks within city limits.

"The city of Harlingen has an ordinance. You can't have them in your possession; you can't discharge them. That's illegal," fire marshal Frank Garcia said. "The police can confiscate them and issue citations up to $200."

Police spokesman Johnny Ramirez said, "If you do get caught, then you are subject to a fine or arrest. There is a city ordinance against it, and we can enforce the ordinance."

When police hear a report of fireworks, "We'll respond to the call," Ramirez said. "If they don't run away, they'll interview them and confiscate them."

For people wishing to enjoy fireworks on New Year's Eve, Garcia advised them to go see the professional display that is being held this year at Valley Race Park, starting at 11:40 p.m.

"(But) for people that purchase fireworks outside the city, we recommend some safety tips," Garcia said.

The following are some important tips:

H Purchase fireworks only from a licensed seller with the state fire marshal.

H Always read and follow all the directions.

H Ensure that there is adult supervision.

H Never light fireworks indoors or in a garage.

H Have a bucket of water or a hose handy.

H Discharge fireworks in an area where it's been mowed.

H Never experiment with making one's own fireworks.

H Never twist fireworks together; light them only one at a time.

H Never give fireworks to small children.

H If one doesn't ignite, put it in a bucket of water.

H Never throw fireworks at another person.

H Never carry fireworks in your pocket.

H Don't chase each other with sparklers, which burn at 1,300 degrees.

H Never shoot fireworks in a metal or glass container.

H If clothing catches fire, stop, drop and roll until you smother the flames.

Garcia added, "Down here, some people like to shoot weapons in the air. What goes up, comes back down at 300 feet per second. Some of those bullets go right through the mobile home roofs."

Ramirez agreed that this is a problem but said people are getting better about it.

"They're getting less every year because people realize that what goes up must come down," he said. "A lot of times, the people that do it mix alcohol with their decision, and that's not a good thing."

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Copyright (c) 2005, Valley Morning Star, Harlingen, Texas

Distributed by Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News.

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Source: Valley Morning Star (Harlingen, Texas)

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