Fireworks best left to experts

This year, there are several shows around Yuma County to watch

To celebrate the Fourth of July, it’s tempting to go get a big batch of fireworks and go crazy.

This year, however, why not leave the explosions to the experts?

The Consumer Products Safety Commission says that fireworks accidents sent more than 11,000 people in the United States to emergency rooms last year, and two-thirds of the cases happened in the weeks before and after the July 4th holiday. In fact, the CPSC says that 250 people on average wind up in the ER with fireworks-related injuries every day in the month around July 4.

The majority of injuries are burns, with the fingers or hands being most frequently injured.

And while people may think sparklers are innocent fun, the devices sent 900 people with bad injuries to the ER. The CPSC notes that a sparkler can burn at 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit, the same temperature as a blow torch. There’s an added danger element this year — the risk of starting a brush fire. Dried vegetation on the ground, which we see all over Yuma County, increases the risk of starting a blaze with a single misfired firework. That in turn endangers not only people, but also any property that may be nearby.

This Fourth of July, the safest thing to do is leave the fireworks to the experts. Yuma County offers several fireworks shows on Tuesday, including ones at Desert Sun Stadium by the city of Yuma, the city of Somerton’s show at Council Park, the city of San Luis, Cocopah Casino and Cocopah Speedway, while Paradise Casino will host fireworks a day early, on July 3.

However, if you proceed with some sort of fireworks on your own, be very careful.

The CPSC says young children should not be able to play with or ignite fireworks, and make sure that any spectators are a safe distance away.

And if the firework doesn’t ignite, don’t try to relight it or pick it up.

In fact, it’s smart to keep a bucket of water or a garden hose nearby in case of any issues.

This 4th of July, be smart, be careful and stay out of the emergency room.

DO YOU AGREE WITH THIS OR NOT?

Yuma is really fortunate to have such a long and growing relationship with the U.S. Marine Corps.

Since 1962 the Marine Corps Air Station has been home to a multitude of different kinds of airplanes, the latest being the F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter. MCAS is the busiest air station in the Marine Corps.

It was really enlightening to read that they have just welcomed a new leader, Col. David Suggs, and he is replacing Col. Ricardo Martinez who is moving on to the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center in Twentynine Palms. Both of these great leaders have a huge amount of activity to direct and oversee.

We are so happy to see the continuation of forward thinking, experienced leaders at the helm of MCAS because the F-35 is going to lead the U.S. air superiority into the future and MCAS will be at the heart of the situation.

Congratulations to Col. Suggs and to Col. Martinez. Yuma is very proud of MCAS.