DAVIE, FLA. (WSVN) - With the Fourth of July only days away, fire rescue officials hosted a fireworks demonstration and the harm they might cause.
The Broward Sheriff’s Fire Rescue Department and bomb squad officials staged the demonstration on Monday morning in Davie.
The demonstration brought to life the consequences of illegal fireworks and improper use of legal sparklers.
“Sparklers, although thought of as very benign, can actually reach temperatures of 1,200 degrees Fahrenheit,” said BSO Fire Rescue Chief Michael Kane, “which is more than enough to burn skin, cause third-degree burns and even disfigure small children.”
Mannequins and melons were used during the tests. Officials showed the effects of low-powered, commercial fireworks and how they can cause serious harm, including loss of limbs.
“The injuries that we see are lost fingers, hands, eyes and severe burns,” said Kane. “In fact, several years ago, we had a mortar that exploded at the waist-height of a person and quite literally took that person’s legs off. It was grisly incident. We need to take into consideration the sheer power of these fireworks.”
Mannequins and melons were used during the tests.
Bureau of Fire and Arson Investigations Major Brandon Ball urged residents to stay away from professional-grade fireworks.
“Anything that leaves the ground or explodes is basically illegal in the state of Florida,” he said. “We should treat these commercial fireworks as weapons because they can kill you.”
Parkland Mayor Christine Hunschofsky shared a tweet that advised residents to be mindful when lighting up fireworks, as some victims of the Stoneman Douglas shooting may be reminded of the tragic event.
As July 4 approaches, please be aware that fireworks can be a source of anxiety & trauma not only for our military veterans but also for many of our residents who heard the shots fired at MSD on 2/14. Please be considerate of those around you who are suffering and may be impacted pic.twitter.com/FVV5MP2Fnx
— Christine Hunschofsky (@CHunschofsky) June 26, 2018
Experts recommend pet owners keep the furry ones inside, as their ears are much more sensitive to loud noises.
Officials also showed the effects of low-powered, commercial fireworks and how they can cause serious harm, including loss of limbs.
For a list of free Fourth of July events in South Florida, visit this link. https://wsvn.com/news/local/4th-of-july-events-2/
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