Before celebrating the New Year with fireworks, here are some safety tips
The new year is almost here and with that comes celebrations within the Twin Cities and fireworks are often a big part of those celebrations. However, if not used safety, fireworks can be dangerous and cause severe injuries.
Local law enforcement agencies stress the important of following laws and safety precautions pertaining to firework use.
According to the Ouachita Parish's ordinance on fireworks, it is unlawful for any person to discharge, use or ignite fireworks between 10 p.m. and 8 a.m. except on Dec. 31 and Jan. 1 of each year. On Dec. 31, the hours of firework usage are 1 a.m. to 8 a.m. and 10 p.m. to midnight.
Holiday safety tips: Here's how to help prevent Christmas tree fires in your home
Any person or persons who violate the time provisions "shall be subject to a fine not to exceed $100, or imprisoned for a term in the parish jail not to exceed 10 days or both," the ordinance reads.
While the City of Monroe has no further restrictions on fireworks, West Monroe does.
Fireworks are not allowed in West Monroe city limits except by permit, according to West Monroe Police Chief Jeff Terrell.
Protect your pets: How to prevent a trip to the vet during the holidays
The fire chief may adopt reasonable rules and regulations for the granting of permits for supervised public displays of fireworks by municipalities, fair associations, amusement parks and other organizations or groups of individuals. Such permits can be granted upon application to the fire chief and after approval of the chief of police and the filing of a $250 bond.
"Every such display shall be handled by a competent operator approved by the fire chief and by the chief of police, and shall be of such composition, character and so located, discharged or fired as in the opinion of the fire chief, after they have made proper inspection, shall not be hazardous to property or endanger any person or persons," the ordinance reads.
The Ouachita Parish Sheriff's Office has released a list of safety tips on firework usage:
Never allow young children to play with or ignite fireworks.
Avoid buying fireworks that are packaged in brown paper because this is often a sign that fireworks were made for professional displays and that they could pose a danger to consumers.
Always have an adult supervise firework activities. Parents don't realize that young children suffer injuries from sparklers. Sparklers burn at temperatures of about 2,000 degrees – hot enough to melt some metals.
Never place any part of your body directly over fireworks device when lighting the fuse. Back up to a safe distance immediately after lighting fireworks.
Never try to re-light or pickup fireworks that have not ignited fully.
Never point or throw fireworks at one time, then move back quickly.
Keep a bucket of water or garden hose handy in case of fire or other mishap.
Never carry fireworks in a pocket or shoot them off in metal or glass containers.
After fireworks complete their burning, douse the spent device with plenty of water from a bucket or hose before discarding it to prevent a trash fire.
Follow Ian Robinson on Twitter @_irobinson and on Facebook at https://bit.ly/3vln0w1.
Support local journalism by subscribing at https://cm.thenewsstar.com/specialoffer.
This article originally appeared on Monroe News-Star: Firework safety tips for New Year celebrations
