(MANHATTAN, KS – June 24, 2026) As people get ready for 4th of July and America 250 celebrations and festivities, the Manhattan Fire Department encourages safe practices to avoid injury and property damage.
“The only safe way to enjoy fireworks is to attend a professional show,” explains Manhattan Fire Marshal Jacob Powell. “Fireworks are dangerous. They injure thousands of people and cause fires that result in millions of dollars of property loss every year. If you choose to purchase and use fireworks, use caution and follow these common sense guidelines.”
Many of the emergency room visits related to fireworks are burns, with many focused on the hands, eyes, or head. A third of people who sustain fireworks-related injuries are younger than 15.
“Don’t allow young children to play with or ignite fireworks. Older children should be supervised anytime fireworks are being used. Sparklers can burn at temperatures hot enough to melt glass, and kids can get seriously injured if they don’t have a responsible adult nearby to watch them,” said Powell.
When igniting fireworks, remember:
- Always ignite outdoors
- Have a sober adult supervise all fireworks activities
- Have a water supply nearby (hose, buckets of water)
- Light from a solid, flat, and stable platform
- Light only one firework at a time
- Never re-ignite malfunctioning fireworks
- Store fireworks in a cool, dry place away from the discharge area before use
- Use a long-handled lighter or punk (A punk is a smoldering stick used for lighting firework fuses)
- Make sure fireworks debris is cooled off completely and soaked with water before disposing, store debris in a metal container away from structures
