Portage residents who plan to have their own Rhythm & Booms fireworks shows this Saturday have some words of caution from the city's fire inspector.
"Anything that goes up and blows up is illegal in the state of Wisconsin," said Craig Ratz.
Firecrackers, roman candles and bottle rockets all are banned, he said.
Ratz said 2007 statistics for the United States showed nearly 10,000 people were injured because of fireworks and that 11 people died. In 2006, he said, fireworks caused about $34 million in property loss.
Possession of illegal fireworks can bring a citation from the police or fire department and a fine close to $200.
Ratz said even the legal fireworks are dangerous. He said legal fireworks caused 56 percent of all 2007 fireworks-related injuries and more than 90 percent of those treated in hospital emergency rooms.
Ratz pointed to sparklers as an example of danger. The bright-burning metal fireworks can burn at more than 1,000 degrees.
"We're at the point where we're melting gold," Ratz said.
Ratz said he remembers using fireworks when he was a child - and being closely supervised by his firefighter father. But the safest way to enjoy fireworks, he said, is to skip the home shows and attend public, professionally run displays.
"The best way to protect the family is to not use fireworks at home," Ratz said. "That's the safest way."
For those who use fireworks anyway, he offered some tips. One was to keep young children away. Ratz said statistics show two out of every five people injured by fireworks are younger than 15.
"Young children shouldn't be allowed to play with fireworks under any circumstances," he said. "They don't have the coordination to deal with some of these."
Among other advice offered by Ratz and the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection:
• Stay clear of others and be sure they are out of range.
• Read and follow all warnings and directions.
• Don't ignite fireworks in containers. Light them on smooth, flat surfaces.
• Never throw or point fireworks.
• Don't let kids pick up pieces of spent fireworks.
• Don't allow running or horseplay.
• Don't have any portion of the body over a firework while lighting it.
• Don't try to relight fireworks that don't ignite.
• Light only one item at a time.
• Keep a bucket of water nearby. Douse all spent fireworks.
• Stay away from homes, flammable materials and dry leaves or dry grass.
The danger of setting off a grass fire is real in Columbia County, Ratz said. Winds as strong as those this weekend can dry out an area.
"The potential's always there," he said.
- Daily Register staff