Fireworks have started going off a few days earlier than Fulton residents and emergency personnel have expected this year, with two reports of fireworks being used in Memorial and Veterans Parks this week, according to Fulton Police Chief Steve Myers.
With Fourth of July celebrations quickly approaching, Fulton's emergency responders are preparing for possible calls involving fireworks, although they said they don't usually anticipate a lot of calls.
"During the time when they (Fulton residents) cannot shoot fireworks, we don't receive very many calls at all," Myers said.
He said that during the brief period of time when Fulton city ordinances permit people to shoot consumer fireworks legally in the city limits - from 1 to 11 p.m. on the third, Fourth and fifth of July each year - the department gets the most calls. He also said that the police department usually receives a few calls after July 5 when shooting fireworks in the city is considered illegal again.
Myers also said people age 20 and under are more likely to use fireworks irresponsibly.
Fulton Fire Department Assistant Fire Chief Kevin Coffelt agreed.
"I know a lot of kids - older, teenage kids - think it's fun to shoot fireworks at each other," Coffelt said. "The ER sees a lot of injuries with people doing that."
As for the types of fireworks most commonly involved in accidents, Myers said he thinks that firecrackers and bottle rockets are misused more just because stores carry a larger supply of them. He also said it's irresponsible for parents to allow their children to use fireworks that they're too young to legally use.
Fulton Planning and Protective Services Director Les Hudson estimated about six fireworks stands currently have permits in Fulton. He said he thinks the number of local fireworks vendors this year hasn't increased compared to the last three to four years.
Coffelt said one specific type of firework is not solely responsible for fire calls the department responds to. But the main culprit behind serious burn-related injuries is sparklers, which especially pose the greatest hazard to children, he said.
"A lot of kids burn their hands and their eyes and their face from sparklers because they burn so hot," Coffelt said. "A lot of people think sparklers are harmless but sparklers burn hotter than most fireworks. The sparklers actually burn between 1,200 degrees Fahrenheit and a piece of wood burns at 575 degrees Fahrenheit, so that tells you how hot they are."
He said he's surprised that some adults allow their children to discharge more explosive fireworks despite the huge safety risk. If consumer fireworks are going to be used, adults should always launch them, he advised.
Coffelt said the Fulton Fire Department fortunately hasn't had to to respond to any calls involving fireworks so far this summer. He said calls usually start coming in the first week of July. On the Fourth of July, he said the number of accidents varies depending on the conditions outside.
"If it's really dry there will be an increase in calls because the grass and area's really dry," Coffelt said. If it's wet like it is today (June 26), we wouldn't have that many calls. I would say (the department doesn't receive) more than five to 10 calls during the fireworks year - that's what it's been in the past."
Myers and Coffelt agree that people who don't know how to handle fireworks properly - both adults and children - increase the chance of serious injuries and considerable damage. They urge residents to use common sense and to be aware of who's handling fireworks when celebrating.