Wednesday, July 1, 2009

July 4th

We're a few days away from the Fourth of July. People have different opinions on fireworks and whether they should be discharged within the community. For those who choose to light fireworks, please remember to be thoughtful of your neighbors. We live in close proximity to one another and need to be courteous. That being said, the following is a list of precautions from Pierce County Fire:

1. Designate a responsible adult to light fireworks. Do not let children light them. (Remember, even sparklers can burn at temperatures of 1800ยบ, nearly hot enough to melt gold!)

2. Use fireworks only outdoors, away from anything that can burn such as trees, buildings, bark dry fields, or wood storage areas.

3. Keep a bucket of water nearby to place all used fireworks in before final disposal. Have a connected water hose or fire extinguisher nearby to put out stray sparks.

4. Light one item at a time, move away quickly, and keep at a safe distance until the display is finished.

5. Duds can be dangerous! If a device does not light or fire, wait at least five minutes and approach it carefully. Do not try to relight. Place it in a bucket of water to soak.

6. Never throw fireworks at people, cars, pets or things that burn.

7. Never hold fireworks in your hands, or discharge them in glass or metal containers.

8. Keep pets indoors, with doors and windows closed tightly. Be sure they have identification tags in case they become frightened and run away.

9. In case someone is injured know basic first aid, the emergency number to call, and your address/location.

10. Dispose of used fireworks after soaking in a trash can with water when finished. Don’t leave a mess.

In unincorporated Pierce County fireworks may be discharged on PRIVATE property with
the permission of the property owner. Be sure to follow the fireworks manufacturer’s safety precautions.

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

Parents...Please, please, please...supervise your children, teens, and just ANYONE who might be lighting fireworks this year...there is soooo much dried grass. Here is a tip...water down the grass of all vacant homes around you if you and your family are lighting fireworks this year.

Jim Ehnborn said...

The Pierce County Fire Department said that we have an extreme fire hazard around the vacant homes on 230th. They said the grass should be cut a minimum of 10 feet from each home.

Jim Selden mentioned that he was waiting until July 1st before taking action. Who knows how to get Jim Selden to take action?

Jim Ehnborn said...

The CCRs Section 10.31 on page 29 state: "No firearms or fireworks of any kind shall be discharged within the Plat."

Anonymous said...

It's so dry and there's so much tall/dead grass. I prefer that people DON'T light fireworks in the neighborhood and instead go see a fireworks show. Orting puts on a nice show.

Anonymous said...

Fireworks are a festive way to enjoy the fourth. Cigarette butts are more dangerous as people toss them out their car window (we pick them up all the time)
As far as the CCR's...there are alot of rules being broken....in the community. People are all the time walking using the undeveloped part for everything under the sun. If you want to do something proactive lets start a nieghborhood watch. If not don't complain! We all live here and need to enjoy the neighborhood together....people using it as their own little park system and garbage dump concerns me more than a few little fire works. I understand the dry grass issue and agree they should be monitored closely by adults and cleaned up afterward! Happy fourth of July...have fun and be safe!

Anonymous said...

With all due respect, I think the above comment is a little hypocritical. If trespassing and littering are not okay, then why is it okay to light fireworks if the CC&Rs plainly say they aren't allowed?

Many of the CC&Rs are not being enforced. But let's all try as hard as we can to follow the rules before this community goes out of control.

A neighborhood watch is a nice idea.

Anonymous said...

What a wonderful 4th! Thank you to the families that put on the fireworks show down at the park. Everyone had a great and safe time.

Anonymous said...

Although I firmly disagreed with the lighting of the fireworks, I let it go. Once we returned from an off site firework show I found the park show going that is mentioned above. I would appreciate it if those that put on the show could finish the clean up. My Daughter got a flat tire on her bike from some broken green beer bottle glass thats all over the west side of the street at park and there is an "organized" stack of garbage sign's and bag's still sitting down here on the curb.

Thanks in advance.

Rob and Tammie Lot#131

Anonymous said...

Hello Rob and Tammie. Our family was one of the Grand Firs families who were down at the park on the
"4th." My husband and I took all of our trash home that night as well as came back the next night and swept the street and sidewalk of any debris. There were "organized" bags of trash left behind in which we took additional bags home with us. I will ask the other families if they could help to remove the bags left behind. As for the broken beer bottles you mentioned I was unaware of anyone that night drinking out of them. My husband rode his bicycle down there weeks prior and had popped his tire. So I don't think it's fair to insinuate that one of the families here had left broken beer bottles in the street. I will do what I can to spread the word on removing the remaining bags.

- Rich and Michelle -

Anonymous said...

Michelle,

I appreciate your efforts in cleaning it up and spreading the word. The glass may have come from some one later that night partying in the park your right. It just wasn't there 2-days earlier when I was cleaning the garbage and dumping the trash at the park.

Thanks,

Rob