Cobb Fire offers fireworks safety tips
To celebrate Independence Day, Cobb County Fire and Emergency Services officials recommend attendance at one of the many professional public firework displays around the county on and around the Fourth of July.
Just in Cobb, they include:
- July 3 at Depot Park in Kennesaw / KennesawJuly3.com
- July 4 at Cauble Park in Acworth / acworth.org/departments/parks_recreation_and_community_resource_department/upcoming_events.php
- July 4 at Marietta Square / MariettaGa.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=2357
- July 4 at Powder Springs Park / Springsfest4th.com
- July 3-6 at Six Flags Over Georgia in Austell / SixFlags.com/OverGeorgia/special-events/celebration/july-4th-fest
- July 4 at SunTrust Park / mlb.com/braves/schedule/2019-07
The Cobb County noise ordinance prohibits the discharge of consumer fireworks after 9 p.m.
Annual exceptions to this rule are Jan. 1, the last Saturday and Sunday in May, July 3, July 4, the first Monday in September and Dec. 31.
On these dates, consumer fireworks may be discharged until midnight - except on New Year’s Eve when they may be discharged until 1 a.m.
Fireworks can mean misery for pets with thousands sedated every year after being frightened by fireworks, according to Cobb Fire officials.
Others are so distraught that they bolt and get lost or injured, so be sure pets are wearing a collar and tag and are microchipped.
Pets should be kept indoors with closed curtains and music playing to drown out the noise.
Those who do use fireworks should follow the recommendations below by the Consumer Product Safety Commission:
- Never allow young children to play with or ignite fireworks. Only those 18 and older can use fireworks legally in Georgia.
- Avoid buying fireworks that are packaged in brown paper - often a sign that the fireworks were made for professional displays and that they could pose a danger to consumers.
- Always have an adult supervise fireworks activities. Young children can suffer injuries from sparklers because they burn at temperatures of about 2,000 degrees - hot enough to melt some metals.
- Never place any part of your body directly over a fireworks device when lighting the fuse. Back up to a safe distance immediately after lighting fireworks.
- Never try to re-light or pick up fireworks that have not ignited fully.
- Never point or throw fireworks at another person.
- Keep a bucket of water or a garden hose handy in case of fire or other mishap.
- Light fireworks one at a time, then move back quickly.
- Never carry fireworks in a pocket or shoot them off in metal or glass containers.
- After fireworks complete their burning, douse the spent devices with plenty of water from a bucket or hose before discarding to prevent a trash fire.
Information: CobbCounty.org/public-safety/fire/news/fireworks-safety
