LAPLACE- As another fireworks sales season begins, the State Fire Marshal’s Office wants to encourage all Louisiana residents to not only be safe when using fireworks, but knowledgeable when buying them.

More than 500 retail fireworks permits have been issued for the 2019 Fourth of July season, as it is state law for wholesale and retail fireworks business operators to be appropriately licensed by the State Fire Marshall, in the parishes and municipalities where they are legally allowed.  The sales season extends through July 4.

The State Fire Marshall encourages, first and foremost, that families choose to enjoy public fireworks displays over creating their own. However, if purchasing fireworks is preferable, families should be mindful of whether the stand they are purchasing from has been permitted. Residents can request to see permitting information from any retail fireworks business. The State Fire Marshall encourages reporting any suspicious or illegal sales of fireworks to 1-800-256-5452 or by visiting lasfm.org.

A study by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission shows that over 200 people on average go the emergency room every day with fireworks-related injuries in the month around the July 4th holiday. Precaution is strongly encouraged.

To avoid becoming part of this statistic, the State Fire Marshal advises:

•      Detonating devices at least 200 feet away from structures, vehicles and rubbish
•      Never allowing children to light fireworks
•      Never operating fireworks while impaired
•      Lighting devices one at a time and monitoring embers released with a bucket of water or hose nearby
•      Discarding detonated items by wetting them down to prevent re-ignition and not disposing of them in a trash container immediately