Local store held a firework safety course for the Fourth of July

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

As the Fourth of July weekend begins firework shows will be taking place but if you plan to host your own, officials want you to do it safely. To help with those efforts, Spirit of '76 Fireworks store is holding a free firework safety class Saturday.

The safety class started at 11 a.m. Saturday morning under the Spirit of '76 Seasonal tent. After the class, officials say attendees left with a complimentary goody bag of novelty items, printed safety materials and pair of safety glasses.

"Safety is the key, so you always, you always want to read the directions. Look for the directionality arrows, know what the firework is going to do before you light it, because some of them have multiple effects." said Spirit of 76 manager Brian Gilmore.

Gilmore said, "So you want to know what you're doing and have that firework safely secured to either around the block, or on a board or something that is not going to tip over." Gilmore said you should make sure that you are a safe distance away from the fireworks, and you always have a bucket of water, or a water source nearby. Gilmore also advises people to keep a safe distance away from your body.

According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, over the past 15 years, firework related injuries increased by 25%. In 2021, 9 people died and 11,500 people  were injured in incidents involving fireworks.

They say the 11,500 is down from the over 15,000 firework related injuries in 2020, when most public displays were canceled due to the pandemic.

To remain safe while using fireworks CPSC says, never allow young children to play with or ignite fireworks including sparklers. Keep a bucket of water or a garden hose handy, in case of fire, and only purchase and set off fireworks that are labeled for consumer "not professional" use.

If you wish to check out a public firework show, you can find a full list of Mid-Missouri Firework shows here.