Our Great City

The Fourth of July is a time for citizens to celebrate the birth of our nation, the freedom that is associated with it and spend time with family and friends. As the metroplex prepares to celebrate our nation's independence, Keller Fire Rescue wishes to remind the citizens of Keller that all consumer fireworks are prohibited within the city limits. Even possession of fireworks is a violation of City Ordinance. Consumer fireworks are illegal because they are dangerous and cause considerable injuries to people and damage to property.

Some statistics that support this statement are provided by the U.S. Fire Administration and are as follows:

Each year around 10,000 people are treated in emergency rooms for injuries from consumer fireworks.

Children under the age of 15 suffer 45% of all injuries from fireworks, the highest rates were for children aged five to nine, followed by children aged 10 to 14 and individuals aged 15 to 19.

Males of all ages were disproportionately injured (75%) of all injuries.

Burns were the most common form of injury (62%), with hand being the body part most often injured followed by eyes, then head/face/ears and legs. Firecrackers were responsible for the greatest number of injuries (1,600) followed by bottle rockets (1,000) and sparklers (700).

Of the estimated 700 fireworks injuries to children under age five, 400 (57%) were caused by sparklers.

In 2006 an estimated 30,300 fires were caused by fireworks with an estimated loss of $21.8 million dollars and about 52 percent of those fires occurred during the month of July around the independence holiday.

Chief Dan Gaumont, of Keller Fire Rescue says, "Fireworks account for substantial numbers of preventable injuries and fire, and are dangerous and even deadly." In fact, "the risk of fire death relative to exposure shows fireworks as the riskiest consumer products" says Chief Gaumont.

Therefore, the Chief recommends that everyone choose a safer way to enjoy the Fourth of July by viewing public displays conducted by professional pyro-technicians held at various locations throughout the metroplex area. Keller Fire Rescue hopes everyone enjoys a fire safe Fourth of July holiday weekend.

The nearest professional fireworks displays are:

• July 3 at Southlake Town Square
• July 3 at Sand Bass Point, Scott's Landing - Oak Grove Park off Dove Loop by Lake Grapevine
• July 3 at Roanoke City Park, 201 Park Drive
• July 3 at Texas Motor Speedway near gate 10
• July 3 at Arcadia Park, 4900 Basswood Boulevard
• July 4 at Sand Bass Point, Scott's Landing - Oak Grove Park off Dove Loop by Lake Grapevine
• July 4 at the old Birdville stadium in Haltom City
• July 4 at Hurst Community Park, 601 Pipeline Road
• July 4 at Bedford Boys Ranch, Harwood Road at Forrest Ridge Drive

All events are scheduled to begin at dark or about 9:30 PM.

For information about the City's fireworks ordinance, contact Keller Fire Rescue at (817)743-4400 or firerescue@cityofkeller.com.