I'm not much of a fan of fireworks anymore.
Oh, I like the professional, big-time fireworks displays. It's the straight-out-of-China, bought-under-a-tent, use-at-home variety I've had enough of.What a buzzkill I'm becoming. Have I been possessed by the ghost of Andy Rooney?Did you ever notice how fireworks are loud, and they injure people? They start fires, scare people's pets, and they leave behind a giant mess …Excuse me — I'll get an exorcism.I used to love getting (and exploding) them as a child and young adult.Now, it wasn't even the first day of summer, and already the popping and explosions started.Last year, despite my protests, our boys were playing with fireworks with the neighbor kids.A smoke bomb was lit, and the boys were running through the colored smoke. Who knows what kind of noxious fumes were in there? Also, I watched as an illuminated piece of debris flew up in the smoke. It passed a few inches from my son's face. I was so relieved it didn't hit him.Playing with fireworks, quite literally, is playing with fire. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission just released its annual fireworks report for 2011. The numbers are estimates, but you get the picture.In 2011, there were four deaths and 9,600 emergency room visits due to fireworks; 65 percent of those injuries occurred between June 17 and July 17.Other interesting facts: more than two-thirds of injuries happened to males. Nearly 26 percent happened to children under the age of 15.Think sparklers are a safer alternative? Think again. It's estimated that more than three times as many injuries were due to sparklers than bottle rockets, 1,100 to 300.Almost half (46 percent) of injuries were to fingers and hands, followed by the eyes (17 percent), and the head, face and ears (also 17 percent).I don't need the report to tell me that all of those injuries were very easily preventable.With all due respect to Riverside and its economy, it's also illegal in many area municipalities.Kansas City is one of them."It's been that way for a long time," said Capt. Steve Young of the Kansas City Police Department.But fireworks use is rampant. How does the KCPD approach the evening?"We have to prioritize what we do. If the officer is on their way to a burglary in progress, or an assault, they're not going to stop and scoop someone's fireworks up," said Young. "However, on the Fourth of July, and for the days preceding it, we are dispatched on a lot of fireworks calls. We do respond to those."The bottom line is it's a violation of a city ordinance. If we get there, we can take your fireworks, and we can write you a ticket."Officers do have discretion, though, so it's possible you could get off with a warning.Liberty and Parkville both allow fireworks, but with limitations. Check with your city (you can often do so online) to be sure you're in compliance.I wouldn't be the son of a retired Kansas City Fire Department captain (and brother of a current dispatcher) if I didn't mention the fire hazards, too.Floyd Peoples, chief fire marshal for the Kansas City Fire Department and chairman of the Heart of America Fire Prevention Committee, says it's going to be an especially bad year for fireworks. The extreme heat and dryness we've been having won't help matters any."Things are way dried out, (and there are) 100-degree temperatures," said Peoples. "Things are going to ignite easily. They're going to spread because of the wind." "What we don't want to see is a 'Colorado Springs' happening in Kansas City, Missouri."Chief Peoples stressed being prepared, and being aware of your environment."If (people) shoot (a firework) in the air, where is it going to land? If they shoot in the grass, what are they going to do if the grass catches on fire? If they shoot in the sidewalk, what if it gets in the mulch over by the house?""We still recommend that the best and safest way to enjoy fireworks is to go to a professional show," Peoples said.It's also much cheaper.It's not hard to follow some basic guidelines when it comes to safe fireworks use. Use common sense. Don't attempt to alter the fireworks you buy. That's a recipe for disaster. Parents, light the fireworks for your kids. If you lit something and it didn't go off, don't approach it and put your face in front of it — toss water on it. Have a garden hose or bucket of water at the ready. More safety tips are available at preparemetrokc.org/hoafc/fireworks.asp and fireworksafety.com.Another request: Please cease igniting fireworks at a reasonable hour. Say, by midnight?Or, better yet, don't buy fireworks. Instead, donate that money you would have spent to your favorite charity. If you don't have one, consider the Yellow Ribbon Fund, which helps our injured service members and their families.My aforementioned brother who works as a dispatcher for the KCFD is working the overnight shift tonight. Take it easy on him, will you?