As you make Fourth of July plans, prepare for a fun and safe holiday celebration with family and friends.
Fireworks are best left to trained professionals, but if you decide to use them at home or camp, follow these tips to avoid injuries or igniting a wildfire:
- Toss used fireworks and sparklers into a bucket of water when finished.
- Keep a water source ready to spray embers from fireworks. Spray the area with water before starting and when finished.
- Don’t try to reignite fireworks that don’t go off.
- Don’t launch fireworks into forests or fields where dry grass or leaves could ignite.
- Always supervise kids and keep fireworks away from your face and eyes.
- Aerial fireworks such as Roman candles and bottle rockets are not allowed in Michigan state parks at any time. Smaller novelty fireworks such as fountains, sparklers and ground spinners are permitted – use them on a gravel or paved surface.
Sky lanterns, also popular on holidays, essentially become litter. They leave wires where they land that can entangle wildlife and can also start wildfires.
Spark-free alternatives to fireworks include ribbon dancers, biodegradable confetti poppers, glow-in-the dark bubbles and glow sticks.
DNR firefighters have responded to more than 160 wildfires so far this season. Find wildfire prevention tips at Michigan.gov/PreventWildfires, and check the status before burning at Michigan.gov/BurnPermit.
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