SALISBURY, Md. — As July 4th approaches, fire officials are urging residents to prioritize safety amid increased fireworks use across Salisbury and the Delmarva region. Attending public fireworks displays is strongly recommended as the safest way to celebrate, since these events are professionally managed and usually free to the public.
For those choosing to set off fireworks at home, officials advise purchasing only fireworks approved for sale in Maryland to avoid legal issues and reduce risks. Buying fireworks across state lines can lead to possession of illegal or more dangerous products.
Fire departments report that fireworks-related incidents vary each year, ranging from none to several calls, often involving potential injuries or fires, especially during dry, hot weather. Precautions include keeping a bucket of water nearby to douse used fireworks and never attempting to relight fireworks that fail to ignite.
Officials also caution that hand-held sparklers burn at extremely high temperatures and require constant adult supervision. Residents are reminded to keep children at a safe distance from fireworks and to avoid alcohol or drug use while handling them.
