D.A.: Fireworks negligence will be prosecuted

The absence of a ban of aerial fireworks will not deter the 10th Judicial District Attorney's office from prosecuting a case if negligent conduct is a factor.

QCS photo: Thomas Garcia

A concern was raised by residence and the District Attorney's office over the use of aerial fireworks during the dry season.

The level of criminal conduct rises if their property damage, personal injury or the setting of fires as a result of negligent or reckless use of fireworks, said Tim Rose, chief deputy district attorney.

Rose said the district attorney's office urges Tucumcari residents to use extreme caution when deploying fireworks. He said the lack of moisture makes the city adept to fire.

During Thursday's city commission meeting, Tucumcari Police Depart-ment Chief Jason Braziel said he would have been in favor of a fireworks ban in Tucumcari. He said his officers spend a lot of time responding to calls for fireworks, mostly aerial.

Rickey Haymaker also spoke to the commissioners meeting about his concern and displeasure with the commission for not implementing a ban on aerial fireworks.

Haymaker said he spent last year's Fourth of July holiday holding a water hose in an effort to save his 100-year-old home from a fire which had been caused by aerial fireworks. He said the problem is not that the fireworks go up in to the air, it's the uncontrollable decent of the hot debris which is the danger.

Fast facts

The following are safety tips for handling fireworks:

• Never allow young children to play with or ignite fireworks.
• Avoid buying fireworks that are packaged in brown paper. This is often a sign that the fireworks were made for professional displays and that they could pose a danger to consumers.
• Always have an adult supervise fireworks activities. Parents don't realize that children suffer injuries from sparklers. Sparklers burn at temperatures of about 2,000 degrees — hot enough to melt some metals.
• Never place any part of your body directly over a fireworks device when lighting the fuse. Back up to a safe distance immediately after lighting fireworks.
• Never try to re-light or pick up fireworks that have not ignited fully.
• Never point or throw fireworks at another person.
• Keep a bucket of water or a garden hose handy in case of fire or other mishap.
• After fireworks complete their burning, douse the spent device with plenty of water from a bucket or hose before discarding it to prevent a trash fire.

Source: cpsc.gov