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Asked to list the safe methods to use fireworks to celebrate the Fourth, Robert A. Williams of the Department of Fire Programs for the State of Virginia had this graphic reply: “Imagine a lot of blank space — because there is no safe way for the average American to use fireworks — on the Fourth of July or any other day.”
“The deck is stacked against you — if only because many ‘home’ fireworks are manufactured clandestinely, without standards or testing. How can you defend against the firework with a bum fuse that goes off the instant you light it — or the bottle rocket that develops a tube fault and shoots off sideways into somebody’s face?”
Rappahannock County Sheriff John Henry Woodward agreed with Mr. Williams that “if you’re going to use fireworks, handle them carefully. Anything can happen.” He added that common sense could go a long way toward preventing injuries. “Don’t ever aim them at someone else.”
Although the recent rains have lessened the risk somewhat, Sheriff Woodward also cautioned the public to be mindful of the danger of starting a fire with carelessly thrown fireworks.
Some types of fireworks are legal in Rappahannock County, although the larger and more dangerous explosive and rocket devices are not. All legal fireworks are required by law to display the manufacturer’s name and the classification of the device. Most also carry some type of
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