This upcoming Independence Day weekend can pose safety challenges and hazards for Bryan-College Station residents, and the Bryan Fire Department wants to minimize potential harm and remind residents of proper safety etiquette and precautions.
What you need to know
Chris Lamb with the Bryan Fire Department told Community Impact the department is prioritizing two different issues throughout the weekend: firework safety and alcohol consumption.
“Obviously, fireworks and alcohol don’t mix, and one by itself in either fashion is just as dangerous,” Lamb said. “But when you mix the two, bad things can happen.”
Zooming in
Lamb said he receives many questions asking why fireworks are banned within the city limits, and it comes back to the safety of the land and neighborhoods.
“You have a lot of houses together, a lot of businesses that are together, and one person acting carelessly within the city limits can affect a lot of people,” he said. “That bottle rocket or Roman candle can hit somebody’s roof or tree and cause a lot of problems.”
Safety of homes and property comes back to the way people are being safe, and alcohol consumption can be a big factor in decision-making abilities, according to Lamb.
“I think everybody has their own stories when it comes to alcohol, and if you mix it with a dangerous explosive device, many times, people become more careless,” he said.
The fire department and law enforcement agencies are anticipating a big turnout for the 250th anniversary of Independence Day, which could mean more to worry about.
“I couldn’t see why the celebration wouldn’t be 10 times bigger than it was last year,” Lamb said. “With 250 years, I can see there will be more to watch out for.”
Sparklers are among the most common injuries the fire department sees with fireworks, Lamb said, and taking extra precautions and following common fire safety tips can help lessen injuries and fires.
“Make sure you always have a pail or bucket of water near you, along with a fire-extinguishing source,” he said. “When a lot of these wildfires happen, they generally start in the tall grass, and right at the beginning is the incipient stage of the fire, and they’re easily put out. Taking that proactive step of just having it ready is important.”
Another common firework injury is related to “dud” fireworks. Lamb said many fireworks burn after being lit, even if they don’t go off, so taking extra precautions is also important in those cases.
“You want to let a good amount of time go by and just let it sit,” he said. “Ideally, you would hit it with a water hose and move it into a safe area after inspecting it.
The takeaway
Lamb said the risk of some light fun shouldn’t involve the safety and the potentially devastating impacts on someone’s life.
“There’s going to be a lot of fireworks and a lot of people drinking, but one mistake can really change someone’s life, whether it’s yours or someone else's,” he said. “Fireworks safety is paramount. There is no doubt that we will have injuries from the fireworks, and burns can be hard to treat, depending on the type of burn. Just play it safe and try to attend professional shows if you can.”
The Texas A&M Forest Service also recommends using fireworks "in open areas away from buildings, vehicles, power lines, trees and other combustible materials" to eliminate as many risks as possible.
Both Bryan and College Station will offer professional fireworks shows for residents and spectators, starting July 3. Independence Day weekend will also offer plenty of other events for those looking to celebrate the 250th birthday of the United States.
