As the 4th of July celebrations light up the skies, the New Orleans Fire Department is shining a light on safety. NOFD is reminding residents and visitors that consumer fireworks are not just illegal in Orleans Parish, but they’re also dangerous — a message of caution that feels particularly pressing as we commemorate America’s independence.
In the fervor of patriotism, it’s common to overlook the risks that come with setting off backyard fireworks; injuries, fires, and in the worst cases, fatalities, are not the memories anyone wants to associate with this festive day. The NOFD, in a statement recently published on their official website, doesn’t just caution against such activities, but also provides a stark reminder of fireworks’ potential harm, with thousands — often children and teens, suffering consequences every year.
Firework-related injuries are no small matter, with about 10,000 Americans injured annually, many incidents localize themselves to the start of July, according to NOFD, these numbers represent not just figures but lives disrupted by a moment’s miscalculation, their warning carries a heavy sense of responsibility towards one another, especially our youngest who may not understand the dangers sparklers, those seemingly innocuous sticks that burn at a scorching 1200 degrees Fahrenheit, pose…