Experts give fireworks safety tips ahead of July 4

Many people will soon be lighting off fireworks as Fourth of July celebrations take place this weekend. Experts say celebrations surrounding the holiday can also be very dangerous. Stamford Fire

News 12 Staff

Jun 30, 2015, 6:29 AM

Updated 3,493 days ago

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Many people will soon be lighting off fireworks as Fourth of July celebrations take place this weekend.
Experts say celebrations surrounding the holiday can also be very dangerous.
Stamford Fire Marshal Charles Spaulding says it's important to understand the dangers that go beyond the warning on the packaging.
"The labeling on fireworks is sometimes misleading," he says. "It doesn't have the how-to."
Spaulding advises lighting the fireworks with a lighter that has an extended wand, and then walking away after it is lit.
"You have to be 75 feet from the fountain so the sparks do not ignite anyone in proximity," he says.
Once the firework has run out, Spaulding says to submerge it in water for a few minutes to remove the risk of it re-igniting.