Public officials give firework safety tips ahead of July 4 [Video]

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) – Some 9,700 firework-related emergency room visits were recorded in 2023, making July 4 a dangerous time for anyone using recreational fireworks.

Kanawha County emergency management and the ambulance authority said the use of fireworks is not recommended by their agencies.

Mike Oakley said if you decide to, holding them in your hands can be risky.

“We all shot Roman candles back and forth at each other. Bad idea, you know you hit people you hit things, things catch fire you hit people in the face.”

South Charleston Fire Chief Virgil White said if you light a firework and it doesn’t go off, you need to move out of the way.

“Just in case there’s a delay and the ones that don’t go off, you need to soak them in something like a bucket of water to make sure that they’re properly disposed of,” White said.

Oakley …