Fireworks For Fun, City Sets The Rules – So Does Charles Darwin!
"Soon as we could see it clearly, Through our big black eye
Man, we lit up your world, Like the 4th of July - Courtesy of the Red, White, and Blue.
Rules Were Made To Be ...Followed
Fireworks and the 4th of July go together like, well, like Toby Keith and Country Music!
But by now, we all know that individual displays of fireworks are illegal in Yakima. (ahem) Right. I encourage you to find some high ground around 9:00ish on Monday night 7/4/22 and see for yourself just how closely your friends and neighbors follow that law!
Legal Viewing
In Yakima, the City-sponsored fireworks show starts at 10:00 pm Monday at State Fair Park, 1301 South Fair Avenue. Other public shows are planned for the Yakima Valley including Selah's 9 pm show at Carlon Park 300 E. Goodlander Road and Sunnyside's 9 pm show at Clem Senn Field. The cities of Mabton, Moxee, Granger and Zillah allow the sale and use of fireworks under specific rules.
Ah, the rules. Not the official rules, but the unofficial, yet common-sense rules, that too many of us ignore that lead to stats like these:
About 15,600 people were seen at U.S. emergency rooms because of fireworks injuries in 2020, which is 56% more than the 10,000 in 2019, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.
Family Fireworks Faux Pas
- Only 1 in 5 said children stayed at least 100 feet away from where fireworks were being set off
- One in three said their children or teens helped set off fireworks in the past two years
- One in 5 parents said they'd allow their child 10 or younger to help set off fireworks
- A third said they'd let youngsters ages 11-15 do so
- More than a quarter said they'd permit older teens to get involved
Poll co-director Sarah Clark:
Fireworks safety tips:
- Stay at least 100 feet away from where any fireworks are set off.
- If setting off your own, buy legal ones that are clearly labeled for consumer use Wear goggles or other eye protection and keep water nearby in case of a fire.
- Only light one firework at a time and don't try to relight the duds.
- Wait until fireworks cool before picking them up, possibly even the next day.
- Have first aid ready.
- For a minor burn, place a towel soaked in cool water over the area for about five minutes. Then cover with a clean bandage and give acetaminophen to reduce pain and swelling.
- For a major burn, or if the burn involves the eyes, go immediately to the emergency department.
While some parents believe sparklers are less dangerous, Clark pointed out they burn at 1,000 degrees and can cause serious burns if not handled properly.
Happy Birthday, America, have a safe and fun Fourth of July!
The fairgrounds celebration features a carnival for the next four days, not Disney land but still fun!
LOOK: Oldest Disneyland Rides From 1955 to Today
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