Fire department: Leave fireworks to the professionals

Julie Smith/News TribunePaul Bax shows a video of how a specific firework is supposed to display when fired. Bax, owner of Bax Fireworks in Brazito, used a bar code reader wand to activate the display. A person interested in purchasing a firework can use the scanner to activate the display and a picture of the packaging appears in the corner of the screen with the name clearly visible on the screen. With so many fireworks available, customers really enjoy the opportunity to get a preview of the item before making a purchase. Bax stresses safety while using any and all fireworks and added to remain sober when lighting the colorful displays and to not place anything over the firework that you aren't willing to lose. If firing traditionally handheld fireworks, purchase the extenders so they aren't in your hand. Bax reiterated "most importantly",  "read and follow the directions printed on each package."
Julie Smith/News TribunePaul Bax shows a video of how a specific firework is supposed to display when fired. Bax, owner of Bax Fireworks in Brazito, used a bar code reader wand to activate the display. A person interested in purchasing a firework can use the scanner to activate the display and a picture of the packaging appears in the corner of the screen with the name clearly visible on the screen. With so many fireworks available, customers really enjoy the opportunity to get a preview of the item before making a purchase. Bax stresses safety while using any and all fireworks and added to remain sober when lighting the colorful displays and to not place anything over the firework that you aren't willing to lose. If firing traditionally handheld fireworks, purchase the extenders so they aren't in your hand. Bax reiterated "most importantly", "read and follow the directions printed on each package."

With Independence Day right around the corner, Mid-Missouri residents are being reminded of how to stay safe around fireworks.

"The best way to see fireworks safely is to go to public displays and let the professionals do it," said Jason Turner, Jefferson City Fire Department public information officer. "It's the best way to prevent injury and accident."

It is illegal to discharge fireworks within Jefferson City limits, but Turner said people still do it whether they are unaware of the law or are choosing to ignore it.

"There are multiple safety concerns," Turner said. "Children using them without adult supervision is an injury risk; fireworks could hit other people's houses, causing them to catch fire. Most people will injure themselves just trying to set them off."

Fireworks start an average of 18,500 fires each year, according to the National Fire Protection Association.

Bax Fireworks owner Paul Bax has been selling fireworks on Pleasant Hill Road outside of Jefferson City since 1999 and said the problem is people don't read the instructions.

"They have warning labels for a reason," Bax said. "All of them tell you not to light it while it is in your hand."

He cites misuse as the reason things go wrong.

Another key safety precaution is not relighting fireworks that don't originally go off.

"It will have a shorter fuse, which makes it unsafe," Bax said. "If you pick one up that didn't go off, what you should do is take it back to a fireworks store to return it."

People looking to watch fireworks in the Jefferson City area can catch a professional show at the Salute to America festival downtown. The fireworks show is set to start at approximately 9:40 p.m. Thursday.