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LINCOLN COUNTY SHERIFF TIM DAUGHERTY ENCOURAGES LINCOLN COUNTY RESIDENTS TO HAVE A SAFE FOURTH OF JULY HOLIDAY



LINCOLNTON – Whether traveling on the road, boating on Lake Norman or kicking back with family and friends watching parades and fireworks displays, Lincoln County Sheriff Tim Daugherty and his staff encourage all Lincoln County residents to have a safe Fourth of July holiday.

The cornerstone of any celebration is the traditional fireworks displays. Sheriff Daugherty said the following tips can prevent accidents and make the Fourth a safe holiday for all:

• Never allow young children to play with or ignite fireworks.

• Make sure fireworks are legal in your area before buying or using them.

• Avoid buying fireworks that come in brown paper packaging, as this can often be a sign that the fireworks were made for professional displays and could pose a danger to consumers.

• Adults should always supervise fireworks activities. Parents often don't realize that there are many injuries from sparklers to children under five. Sparklers burn at temperatures of about 2,000 degrees - hot enough to melt some metals.

• Never have any portion of your body directly over a fireworks device when lighting the fuse. Move back a safe distance immediately after lighting.

• Never try to re-light or pick up fireworks that have not fully functioned.

• Never point or throw fireworks at another person.

• Keep a bucket of water or a garden hose handy in case of fire or other mishap.

• Light one item at a time, and then move back quickly.

• Never carry fireworks in a pocket or shoot them off in metal or glass containers.

• After fireworks fully complete their functioning, douse the spent device with plenty of water from a bucket or hose before discarding to prevent a trash fire.
In addition to the above-mentioned tips, Sheriff Daugherty cautioned about the celebratory practice of shooting guns into the air.

“Firearms should never be used to celebrate any holiday,” said Sheriff Tim Daugherty. “And never mix alcohol with fireworks or firearms. Please celebrate the Fourth of July safely and responsibly.”



According to the U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission, 70 percent of all fireworks injuries occur between June 20 and July 20 of each year.

The latest report from CPSC indicates that there were reports of seven fireworks-related deaths and an estimated 7,000 hospital emergency room treated injuries in 2008, down from 11 deaths and 9,800 injuries the year before.

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