Shreveport Police Dept.

Date: June 29, 2009

Phone: (318) 525-5066 Fax: (318) 673-6933

Contact: Cpl. Bill Goodin, Public Information Officer

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Shreveport Police stress fireworks safety

As we head into the Fourth of July holiday, the Shreveport Police Department would like to take this opportunity to remind everyone about our city ordinances governing the use of fireworks.

In the City of Shreveport, the sale, discharge, ignition or explosion of fireworks authorized for sale pursuant to Louisiana state law is prohibited in the city limits, except from noon June 25th through 10:00 p.m. July 5th and noon December 15th through 10:00 p.m. January 1st of each year. Bottle rockets of any type, or sky rockets with sticks, are prohibited and it is unlawful to sell, possess, or use these types of rockets. Between now and July 5, 2009 no fireworks can be discharged within the city limits after 10:00 p.m.

As always please be safe and take some simple, common sense precautions to ensure no one is injured as we celebrate the birth of our great nation. Here are a few safety tips to keep in mind concerning fireworks safety.

-Always wear safety glasses and do not wear loose clothing when using fireworks.

-An adult should always be present and supervise the use of fireworks.

-Read all labels and follow all instructions before lighting fireworks.

-Light only one firework at a time.

-Have a safe landing zone for aerial fireworks. Consideration should be given to wind direction and ignitability of everything in the landing zone.

-Have a fire extinguisher or a bucket of water on hand to extinguish an incipient fire.

-Never ignite fireworks while holding them. Put them down, then ignite them and walk away.

-Never ignite aerial fireworks where overhead obstructions (trees, eaves, wires, etc.) may interfere with trajectory into open air space. Never ignite aerial fireworks near an opening to a building.

-Do not point or throw fireworks at other people. Do not carry fireworks in you pockets. If one happens to ignite, severe burns may result.

-Always keep spectators a safe distance away.

-Dispose of fireworks only after you are sure they are completely out. If needed, spray them down with a hose and allow them to cool overnight. Treat them much as you would fireplace/stove ashes.

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View all SPD press releases at www.shreveportla.gov