T'auna Courchane watches a fountain prior to the Havre Jaycees Fireworks Display July 4, 2006.
According to Havre Fire Department Fire Chief Dave Sheppard, while fireworks were banned in the city, the department didn’t get many fireworks-related calls in town, most being outside city limits.
During the first year in which the people of Havre will be allowed to legitimately ignite consumer-grade explosions, the fire department would like to see city fires stay limited.
Havre Firefighters will be out and about on the Fourth of July, for both precaution and education, though individuals can take their own precautions with these safety tips from Assistant Fire Chief Tim Hedges to make sure everyone can have fun while not hurting anybody:
• Never allow children to ignite fireworks unsupervised.
• Always keep a bucket of water nearby.
• Never ignite a device inside a container.
• Don’t try to relight or handle malfunctioning fireworks.
• Light one device at a time.
• Light fireworks outdoors, in a clear area, away from onlookers, houses and flammable materials.
• Make sure the fireworks are doused in water and the remains picked up when you’re done.
Following these rules, Hedges said, should make sure that, through safety, the holiday is enjoyable.
“We’re just hoping that everyone has a great Fourth of July weekend, ” Hedges said, “and that they stay safe and responsible while using fireworks. ”
