Thursday is the Fourth of July, and state officials are encouraging Floridians to stay safe.
July Fourth is synonymous with fireworks in the United States. They’re a lot of fun, but state fire marshal’s spokeswoman Anna Alexopoulos says the safest thing to do is visit a professional display.
“We definitely encourage Floridians across the state to attend the public displays that many communities and organizations sponsor. It is the safest way to celebrate, and it also is just a good time for family and community to come together and spend time with your neighbors,” Alexopoulos said.
Tallahassee fire department spokesman Mike Bellamy is encouraging local residents to beware of the fire danger of pyrotechnics this Fourth of July, despite the fact the area has received several inches of rain lately.
“Sometimes it creates a false sense of security, depending on how much rain we get – we’re getting a lot now, and that’s favorable for us. But we still want to encourage anyone who’s out there enjoying some fireworks, to do them on the concrete, and always ensure that you’re not close to any kind of wooded area,” Bellamy said.
However families decide to celebrate, officials want individuals to follow common-sense safety practices, like keeping water or a fire extinguisher nearby, and never letting young children play with fireworks or sparklers.