With the fireworks back in full swing, the city of Bowling Green is taking steps to make it a safe, fun-filled event for the community on the Perry Stadium Intramural Fields, as well as giving advice for citizens on the home front.
Event producer Wynn Cramer of Melrose Pyrotechnics has been orchestrating the BG fireworks show for 12 years. He has demonstrated commitment to the town by making people available for the fireworks even when the event’s status was up in the air.
According to Cramer, the fireworks operators take several safety precautions. The operators have to wear the proper clothing and the worker responsible for shooting does it electronically from a trailer — no one is outside lighting the fireworks themselves.
The fireworks are also thoroughly inspected by the fire department, according to Lt. Bill Moorman of the Bowling Green Fire Division.
“We police it pretty good here in Bowling Green,” Moorman said. “I have heard of other communities where there have been accidents, and typically those accidents are because little safety rules or regulations weren’t followed.”
Moorman said the department sends the shooters copies of the rules as well as inspecting the fireworks before and after the show.
BGFD Deputy Chief Jack Ninke gave credence to the effectiveness of safety efforts, and said that Bowling Green has not had a fireworks accident in recent history.
The Bowling Green Police Division is also doing its part to keep the fireworks safe by directing traffic and providing crowd control at the event.
Safety regulations are enforced with the spectators as well. Lt. Tony Hetrick added that sparklers are not allowed on the grounds. Although sparklers are among the few legal fireworks for non-licensed consumers to shoot off in Ohio, Hetrick said the metal rods left behind by people using the sparklers cause damage to the University lawn mowers.
While sparklers are not permitted at the fireworks, they are legal for use in Ohio. Stacie Lehman of Prevent Blindness Ohio writes that sparklers fall into “trick and novelty items,” while exhibitor fireworks require sellers, users and buyers to be licensed. Consumer class fireworks require a license to sell, but anyone over age 18 can buy them provided they are not used in the state.
Hetrick said the police department receives several calls on the Fourth of July regarding illegal fireworks usage, but mentioned it is difficult to catch people in the act. If caught, an offender faces a minor misdemeanor charge.
The illegality of fireworks has ties into safety reasons. Lehman quoted Sherry Williams, President and CEO of Prevent Blindness Ohio, about the dangers of fireworks.
“Novelty items such as sparklers and bottle rockets are the greatest cause of eye injuries requiring hospitalization,” Williams said. “Sparklers burn at 1800 degrees Fahrenheit and account for more than half of the fireworks injuries in young children under age five.”
BGFD Lt. Tom Mauk said that people need to be careful when handling fireworks, adding that bottle rockets are illegal to shoot off in Ohio.
“Most of the fireworks injuries are because of careless and wreckless operations,” Mauk said. “Most people that are injured don’t understand or believe the level of danger [posed by the fireworks].”
Moorman agreed, placing importance on proper supervision and following the rules and guidelines provided.
“If they’re not supposed to be used in the state, don’t use them in the state,” Moorman said. “[Legal fireworks] certainly do have some risks that are involved with them, like anything, but you can minimize those risks by handling them appropriately and safely.”
