Fireworks safety tips ahead of Fourth of July in Macon

Jake’s Fireworks store in Macon urges residents to use caution with fireworks and offers safety advice for families this Independence Day.

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – The Fourth of July is only three days away, and many people are getting ready to purchase fireworks. Jake’s Fireworks store operator Jesse Pittman says safety is a major priority.

“Lot of safety things people forget is shoe wear,” Pittman said. “Make sure you’re not wearing flip flops or loose Crocs, try to have some type of protection over your eyes, whether it’s sunglasses or at night the clear glasses. They have nighttime glasses as well.”

When it comes to setting off fireworks, he recommends the ABC strategy: “Always brace your cakes.”

“From the smallest cakes to the biggest cakes, you don’t know if you’re not familiar with each cake,” Pittman said. “They all have their own directions and information telling you how to do it. But I encourage people to use small bricks on each side, that way it doesn’t rock or tilt.”

Pittman says most parents give their children sparklers to celebrate, and they burn at about 15,000 degrees, so supervision is critical.

“About 20% of accidents happen because of children,” he said. “Whether it’s just handing them something or not letting them be prepared, or overall, too eager, the most proper way to put off certain things is water; having a gallon of water or water hose. Another thing we use is sand. Put the sparkler out and put it in the sand.”

He says the safest place to use fireworks is in an open area.

“We use open parking lots,” he said. “Clean up after. It’s easier and safer. There’s no hanging trees and there’s no way somebody is going to get hit.”

Pittman also in you have a defective firework, stay calm and designate someone responsible to handle the situation.

“I always encourage one person do it,” he said. “It doesn’t have to be a professional person, but you want that person adult and not having alcohol beverages and their minds being somewhere else besides the safety of the firework show.”

Jake’s Fireworks store is now having a sale. Their biggest cakes are $38.88, and their smallest are $18.88.