BUFFALO, N.Y. — As the Fourth of July approaches, Buffalo fire officials are laying out some guidelines on how to safely ignite fireworks this holiday season.
It is advised to keep a fire extinguisher or a bucket of water nearby when igniting fireworks, use a long-stemmed lighter, create a boundary of about 12ft x 12ft, and designate one or two people who will stay sober and in charge of following guidelines.
Children and pets should be kept away from anything flammable. If you live in a residential area, close to other houses and lawns, finding an open field to light fireworks is the best option.
According to officials, 911 calls tend to increase on the Fourth of July. Many of which they attribute to unsafe fireworks use.
Over 20,000 fires are started and over 10,000 people are admitted to emergency rooms every year due to unsafe firework use according to the Buffalo Fire Department.
"A lot of time what happens is you have individuals who are setting off fireworks that may not know those tricks of the trade or they may have children who are holding them or people who are inebriated that are holding them, so we end up having an uptick in calls," said Lt. Rayshad Russell of the Buffalo Fire Department.
If an injury does occur this Fourth of July, officials say the best thing to do is to call 911.