Safe, sane 4th of July holidays

No fireworks are being allowed in Quay County because of the fire ban, but fireworks can be set off in the Tucumcari city limits, according to city and county officials.

“No fireworks are allowed in the county,” said Quay County Fire Marshal Don Adams.

Within Tucumcari’s city limits, "There are no-restrictions for fireworks inside the city," said Mike Cherry, Tucumcari Fire Chief. "We recommend that people use caution and safety when lighting fireworks and follow the city ordinances regarding their discharge."

Cherry said he has inspected the fireworks stands that have recently opened and approved their stock for sale.

The county ban also affects the village of Logan.

In Tucumcari city limits, area fireworks shops and stands are offering  a variety of items for Fourth of July celebrations.

Black Cats, poppers and smoke bombs have been some of the big sellers for children, said Fabian Munoz, TNT Fireworks stand operator.
"The adults have been buying a lot of the bottle rockets and aerial displays," Munoz said.

Firework manufacturers are also targeting certain customers with their packaging.

At one stand a small pink backpack with a caption, “What a girl wants” was on display. The pack is filled with smaller fireworks like cherry blossoms and sparkler tanks.

One thing that each of the stands has in common is that buyers must be 16 years of age to buy rule.

"They have to be 16 or have a parent with them," Munoz said. "We do not sell fireworks to kids unless their parents are with them. There are no exceptions.”

Area events schedule
• Tucumcari
Dark, Elks Lodge Annual Fireworks display, Elks parking lot. Call 461-1510.
• Logan and Ute Lake
 9 a.m., Crafters Mall  at the  Logan Civic Center, Call 487-2402.
10 a.m., Fourth of July Parade, Logan. Call 487-2402.
Dark, Fireworks at Play, presented by the Logan Chamber of Commerce, Windy Point, Ute Lake State Park. Call 487-2402.
• Conchas Lake
9 p.m., Fire on the Water,  presented by Conchas Dam Volunteer Fire Department, the American Legion and donors,Conchas Lake noth side at marina, fireworks will discharged from a  barge, $5. Entrance fee per vehicle. Call 868-2270 or 868-2251.

Safety Tips

  John McPhee, childhood injury prevention coordinator for the N.M. Department of Health, said in a press release that the best way to avoid injury with fireworks is to attend the local community display rather than having an event at home.

Fireworks are not toys and should never be handled by children, McPhee said in the release. “Even sparklers and flares can cause serious burns or blast injures that can permanently damage eyesight or hearing.”    

For people who choose to have a home fireworks display, the Department of Health recommends the following safety guidelines: 

• Light fireworks outdoors and only on smooth, flat surfaces away from buildings, dry leaves, other flammable materials and spectators
• Do not try to relight fireworks that malfunction
• Do not carry fireworks in your pocket or hold them close to your face
• Use protective glasses when lighting fireworks
• Keep a fire extinguisher as well as a water hose within short reach
• Never allow children to hold or light fireworks
• Never point or throw fireworks at other people
• Never experiment with make-shift or homemade fireworks