Ahead of the new year, the Travis County Fire Marshal’s office is encouraging residents to follow safety guidelines when handling fireworks.
The office provided the following tips in a press release Dec. 28:
- Never allow young children to play with or ignite fireworks.
- Sparklers burn as hot as a welding torch and are not for little kids to use. Give children glow sticks to play with and leave the sparklers to the adults.
- Never lean over the fireworks when lighting them.
- Do not pick up fireworks that have not completely gone off. They may still explode.
- Do not throw fireworks at others.
- Light fireworks one at a time.
- After fireworks complete burning, spray them with water or put them in a bucket of water. Do not put them in the trash.
Neighboring Williamson County also put out a statement reminding residents to check local ordinances before setting off fireworks.
In Austin, the city forbids residents from storing or using fireworks.
