READING, Pa.- With 4th of July right around the corner and extra special festivities going on this year, officials want to make sure people know the do’s and don’ts when it comes to fireworks.
Authorities are hoping when it comes to firework safety, people can learn from past examples.
“We say it every year and every year we see incidents that are very unfortunate and could have been avoided,” says Reading Mayor Eddie Moran.
As first responders prepare for a star spangled 250th Birthday for America, they say they hope city residents leave the explosive celebrations to the professionals.
“What we’re trying to call people’s attention to is just the size of what people can purchase for their own use,” says Reading Fire Marshal, Jeremy Searfoss.
Just because you can buy it, doesn’t mean you can set it off.
Officials say it’s illegal for people to set off fireworks anywhere within the city limits of Reading. They say it can be extremely dangerous and cause a lot of damage.
“Once we start it, you can’t stop it,” says Searfoss, referencing a commercial firework available for purchase. “So, you have no control over trajectory, where it lands. That’s always the biggest issue when people use fireworks improperly.”
“We’ve had people lose their eyesight, lose their hands [and] cause some pretty severe damage,” says Lt. Nick Epolito with Reading’s Bomb Squad.
Authorities say in rural parts of the county where people may be permitted to use fireworks, they still need to be at least 150 feet away from any structure, person or vehicle.
“You do want to stay away from trees,” says Epolito, “especially when it’s as hot as it’s been and as dry as it’s been lately.”